A fatal shooting was preceded by a fight, court records show. Tonya Woody, 43, was killed May 20, 2022. (MLive file photo)

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KALAMAZOO, MI – A woman was fatally shot during a domestic dispute.

In a probable cause affidavit, the man accused of killing the woman told Kalamazoo police that they argued about a dirty diaper prior to the May 20 shooting.

Tonya Woody, 43, was fatally shot at a home on East Emerson Street near South Burdick Street. Eric James Smith, 32, of Parchment, was arraigned Monday, May 23, on one felony count each of open murder, carrying concealed weapon and felony firearms in Kalamazoo County District Court.

Woody and Smith have a 1-year-old son together, court records show.

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Smith told Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety that he was in a doorway when Woody tried to reach for the gun. The gun accidently went off and hit Woody, the affidavit said.

Neighbors called police after they heard a loud argument and then a single gunshot, the affidavit said.

Officers found Woody dead in a bedroom, the affidavit said.

Smith left the home before police arrived. The neighbors said he left the area crying.

The shooting happened around 12:21 p.m. and Smith turned himself into KDPS headquarters around 3:20 p.m. Police found the gun in the trunk of his car at Spring Valley Park, 2606 Mount Olivet Road, the affidavit said.

An Amber Alert was briefly issued for the 1-year-old and then canceled after Smith turned himself in.

Smith is scheduled for a probable cause conference June 2.

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