California judge arrested on suspicion of killing his wife in the couple's home

An Orange County judge was arrested but later released in the shooting death of his wife at their home in Anaheim Hills.

Police responded at about 8 p.m. Thursday to the home of 72-year-old Jeffrey Ferguson, an Orange County Superior Court judge, following a report of a shooting at the residence. Officers found 65-year-old Sheryl Ferguson suffering from at least one gunshot wound inside the home, police said.

She died at the scene.

Ferguson was arrested at the location in the 8500 block of East Canyon Vista Drive. He was released on $1 million bail on Friday, according to the Associated Press. He had not been officially charged as of Friday evening.

Details about a motive were not immediately available.

Neighbors said the couple had lived at the home for years.

Ferguson has been a judge in Orange County Superior Court since 2015. He began is legal career in 1983 as an Orange County Deputy District Attorney. He was named prosecutor of the year four times by the Orange County Narcotics Officers Association.

Ferguson earned a bachelor's degree from UC Irvine and his law degree from Western State College of Law in Irvine.

"Our thoughts go to the family," Orange County Superior Court Presiding Judge Maria Hernandez said in a statement Friday morning, City News Service reported. "We all pray for their comfort during this trying time.

"Although no case has been filed with our court, when appropriate, we will take all necessary steps to ensure full compliance with our legal and ethical obligations. As this is a pending matter still under investigation, the court is unable to provide any further information at this time."

It was not immediately clear whether Ferguson has an attorney who could speak on his behalf.