A recently divorced off-duty police officer from New Jersey chased down and fatally shot his ex-wife as their young daughter looked on Tuesday, then put the gun to his head and held police at bay before he surrendered.

Authorities say Neptune Township police Sgt. Phil Seidle, 51, had his 7-year-old daughter in the front seat of his car while he pursued a black Volkswagen Jetta driven by his ex-wife, Tamara, shortly before 11.30am.

The chase ended moments later when Tamara Seidle crashed into a parked car. Philip Seidle then emerged from his vehicle and fired his .40-caliber Glock service weapon several times into the woman's vehicle through the driver's side, fatally wounding her, according to police.

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Domestic drama: New Jersey police Sgt. Phil Seidle (left) is accused of gunning down his ex-wife and the mother of his nine children, Tamara Seidle (right), just weeks after their divorce

In custody: Seidle, 51, surrendered to Neptune Township police following a tense 30-minute standoff

He then pointed the gun at his head, but then made his way around the Jetta and fired more rounds through the windshield, said Charles Webster, spokesman of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, during a press conference.

Police officers who happened to be in the neighborhood for an unrelated traffic accident saw the shooting unfold and took the child from her father's silver Honda Pilot. The girl apparently was not injured.

Tamara Seidle, 51, was taken to a hospital, where she died a short time later. No other injuries were reported in the shooting.

The shooting was followed by a 30-minute police standoff, during which Seldie held a gun to his head before officers convinced him to surrender. He was then taken into custody.

The couple had nine children, ranging in age from 7 to 24, and their divorce was finalized late last month. Authorities say the shooting apparently was spurred by an ongoing child custody dispute.

Monmouth County prosecutors say Phil Seidle is charged with first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child. He is being held on $2million bail.

If convicted of the murder charge, Seidle could face 30 years to life in prison.

Michael Terrell, who witnessed the shooting, told the Asbury Park Press that Seidle was yelling at his ex-wife about their child custody fights, how he was tired of paying her alimony and having limited access to their children.

Terrifying scene: Police say the veteran officer ran his ex-wife off the road, then got out of his car and shot her several times through the driver's side window (left). Seidle then held a gun to his own head (right), but didn't pull the trigger

'The guy was in the middle of the street,' Terrell told the newspaper. 'He was saying, "I'm tired of going to court."'

Seidle then raised his gun, firing multiple shots at the woman.

'It was shocking,' Terrell said.

Tamara Seidle, 51, was rushed to a hospital (pictured), but died a short time later

Another eyewitness, Trina Poysner, recalled hearing Seidle cry out in despair: 'My kids, my kids! I'm not going to see them anymore.'

Seidle, 51, is a US Navy veteran who served as a sergeant with the Neptune Township Police Department. He has served on the force for 22 years.

Township resident Dianna Harris told the newspaper that Seidle was a popular officer who cared about the community. Harris, who is president of the Neptune-based Midtown Urban Renaissance Corporation, said Seidle would often visit the nonprofit group's community garden.

'He was a well-respected cop in the area,' Harris said. 'Nobody knows what triggered this, and that's what makes it so sad.'

But court documents paint a starkly different picture of the well-respected law enforcement official and model family man.

In a complaint filed by Tamara Seidle two years ago, the mother of nine accused her husband of nearly 25 years of holding a gun to her head while she was pregnant.

On another occasion, the officer allegedly kicked his wife in the stomach while she was pregnant.

In her divorce complaint, Mrs Seidle described her spouse as a violent man who was addicted to pornography and video games, and who was unfaithful to her in the course of their tumultuous marriage.

Susan Doremus, who worked with Tamara Seidle during Neptune school athletic events and booster club functions, said the 51-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010.