A 61-year-old man was shot to death in Shelby County Monday night, and authorities said today they have a suspect in custody.

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office identified the victim as Gene Ward Jr. He was pronounced dead on the scene at his home.

Deputies were called about 8 p.m. to Ward's home in the 2500 block of Hwy 93 in Helena, according to a news release from the agency. A relative found Ward after going to check on him.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they confirmed Ward was dead from gunshot wounds. Investigators and evidence technicians developed a suspect within a short period of time and arrested that suspect on unrelated charges.

Formal charges in Ward's death are expected later today.

"This is believed to be a result of domestic violence and there is no reason to think any other suspects are at large,'' according to sheriff's officials. The suspect's information will only be released after he or she has been formally charged and arrested, they said.

"It is always difficult to lose a loved one and my sincere wish for Mr. Ward's family is that they somehow find peace as they go through this most difficult time,'' Sheriff John Samaniego said in a prepared statement.