Kelley French and Thomas French

Special to IndyStar

BLOOMINGTON – Donald Wayne Francis, Jr., owner of Heartland Adoption Agency, died Saturday night of a gunshot wound to the chest at his home, in what authorities say was a domestic dispute.

The 56-year-old adoption attorney was transported to Indiana University Health-Bloomington Hospital and pronounced dead at 9:58 p.m., according to Monroe County Coroner Joani Shields.

Someone inside Francis' home on Lauren Lane called 911 around 9:15 p.m., said Monroe County Sheriff's detective Lt. Jennifer Allen.

Monroe County Sheriff Brad Swain told the Bloomington Herald-Times that deputies arrived to find the man who fired the gun giving first aid.

"There was a family situation at the house and it appears that Don, as a family member was leaving, came outside with a pistol, and that person had a pistol in his car," the sheriff told the Herald-Times. "He got his gun and shot Don one time."

Another family member at the scene confirmed that Francis had pointed a gun at the person leaving the house, Swain said.

Detectives interviewed several people and referred the matter to a prosecutor. Allen said she does not anticipate charges being filed. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday morning.

Francis founded Heartland Adoption Agency, a private firm on Arlington Road, in 2009 with his partner, Michelle Berry Domer. He was admitted to the bar in 1992. His wife, Terri Francis, is the agency's case manager, executive director and social worker, according to the agency website.

Indianapolis adoption attorney Grant Michael Kirsh called Francis a good friend who always had time for a phone call and was always eager to help. "His friends were important to him," Kirsh said, and his work was, too. "He took pride in his work advocating for foster parents who felt wronged by DCS."

Francis once told the Indiana Daily Student his firm did about 100 adoptions a year.

"After 20 years of family and divorce law, I was ready to quit my job," Francis told the Daily Student in 2015. But since he had experience with adoption, he chose not to quit law.

"At the end of the day, I'm helping a child," Francis said. "It's a better feeling."

Kelley French is senior editor for narrative and special projects at USA TODAY. She can be reached at 812-727-7991 or kfrench@usatoday.com.

Thomas French is a Pulitzer-winning journalist.

Both Frenches are professors of practice in the Media School at Indiana University.