by JEN BIUNDO

Hays County officials are investigating a Niederwald-area shooting that left one man dead early Sunday morning.

Investigators say the female landowner shot the estranged husband of her tenant, who was living in the second house on the 15-acre property on Kai Vista, east of Buda.

Hays County spokesperson Leroy Opiela said the estranged husband, Kim Sparks, 56, showed up on the property just before 3 a.m. and was ordered off by the landowner, who was armed with a shotgun. Sparks, a Dale resident, was hit one time and pronounced dead at the scene.

Hays County Justice of the Peace Scott Cary has ordered an autopsy in this case.

Investigators declined to say what occurred to precipitate the shooting, or if Sparks threatened his ex-wife or the landowner. Sparks did not have a recent criminal history or domestic violence charges pending in Hays County or Caldwell County.

Though investigators have not released the names of Sparks’ wife or the landowner, appraisal records show the property is owned by Jodi Miller. A number listed in Miller’s name was not in service Tuesday.

Opiela said the case is still under investigation, but it appears that no charges will be filed in the case. Instead, Opiela said the case will be sent to a grand jury for review.

A 2007 law known as the “castle doctrine” strengthened the rights of Texans to use deadly force in their homes to defend themselves against intruders.