‘Shield’ actor Jace charged in wife’s death

Actor Michael Jace was arrested late Monday night on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of his wife, April, at their home in Hyde Park, police said.

Jace, 48, was placed under arrest around 3 a.m. “for the killing of his wife of nine years, April,” said Los Angeles police Detective Lyman Doster.

He said Jace was booked on suspicion of murder.

The shooting occurred around 8:30 p.m. in the 5400 block of Brynhurst Avenue in the Hyde Park neighborhood. Telephone records identify April Jace as a resident of a home in that block.

Los Angeles police Lt. John Jenal said two children were present in the home at the time of the shooting. They were in protective custody this morning, he said.

The children are under the age of 10, said LAPD Detective Raquel Cruz.

She said multiple gun shots had been fired.

Jace called police himself to report his 40-year-old wife had been shot and that he had pulled the trigger, the celebrity news website TMZ.com reported. He called 911 around 8:30 p.m. and told police, “I shot my wife,” law enforcement sources told TMZ.

The actor stayed on the phone as instructed until LAPD officers arrived and found April Jace dead, sources told TMZ.

Jace is best known for his role as LAPD Officer Julien Lowe in the TV series “The Shield.” He has also appeared in such films as “Forrest Gump,” “Boogie Nights” and “Planet of the Apes.”

Michael Jace was previously married to Jennifer Bitterman but divorced in 2002.

He’s due to make his initial court appearance on Thursday, authorities said.