Police: Man kills wife outside busy Southlake shopping center

SOUTHLAKE, Texas - Police in the upscale Fort Worth suburb of Southlake arrested a man for the murder of his wife.

Linda Martin, 55, died Tuesday night at a hospital after being shot around 5:15 p.m.

Police said she was in her Jeep and stopped at a red light near the Trader Joes at the intersection of Central Avenue and Southlake Boulevard. Her estranged husband, 52-year-old Kenneth Martin, got out of his own vehicle and shot her.

Officers arrested Kenneth at the scene. They also recovered a handgun.

The couple was in the process of getting a divorce and Linda's Facebook page suggests she was trying to start a new life. Friends described her as an energetic mother and grandmother who was sweet and caring.  

Neighbor, and friend, Janvier Scott-Werner, knew the couple had a tumultuous relationship since filing for divorce in November. Linda confided in her.

"She was afraid to be home alone," said Scott-Warner. "Afraid that he would come and trap her in her home."

Scott-Werner kept Linda's animals for her while Linda left the couple's Flower Mound home to hide from Kenneth.

Flower Mound Police say they responded to several 911 calls at the Martin home but have not provided more details.

Linda told Scott-Werner that she feared for her life, but nothing could have prepared this neighbor for the terrible news of her killing.

"It's shocking, horrifying news and I don't think you're ever prepared for it," said Scott-Werner. "But I don't think I was terribly surprised because I knew she was afraid."

She says Linda had been dreading mediation, related to the divorce, for weeks, which was scheduled right at the time she was killed Tuesday night.

"Her worst fear actually came true and none of us could do anything about it," said Scott-Werner.

Kenneth remains in custody pending arraignment. He will be charged with murder.

Police said the circumstances leading up to the shooting are still under investigation.