A nine-year-old boy has been charged with murder after his mother was shot dead with a rifle at their home in Michigan.

Court records show he is also facing a firearms charge.

It is not clear whether he was charged as an adult or as a juvenile.

St Joseph County prosecutor John McDonough told WWMT-TV the woman's body was found early on Monday morning in Fawn River Township, between Chicago and Detroit.

County Sheriff Bradley Balk said the boy was undergoing psychiatric evaluations, according to WWMT West Michigan.


Authorities have not said why the child is considered a suspect, or said anything about the circumstances of the killing.