A first-year student at Tulane University Law School was shot and killed Friday, apparently by his wife.

Law dean David Meyer informed the law school community by email Saturday that Ian Mastin had died.

“While we do not yet know all of the circumstances, our hearts go out to those affected by this terrible tragedy,” Meyer wrote.

According to local news reports, Mastin’s wife called police to the couple’s home in Metairie, outside of New Orleans, around 9 p.m. Friday. She said she shot Mastin in the midst of an altercation in which she feared for her life. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The wife, who has not been named by police and who has not been charged, told police that she had suffered ongoing physical and psychological abuse from Mastin.

“The woman stated that another incident of physical abuse occurred through the evening hours yesterday that included escalating altercations and attempted strangulation,” Capt. Jason Rivarde of the Jefferson Parrish Sheriff’s Office told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “Fearing that the years of abuse would culminate in the loss of her life, she shot her husband. She displayed multiple physical injuries that corroborated her account.”

Police said they had not received previous reports of domestic violence between the couple, but said Mastin’s wife produced corroborating evidence of ongoing abuse.

Meyer’s email said the law school will have grieving services for students on campus Monday. The investigation into Mastin’s death is ongoing.