NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – The St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office has ruled the death of Dr. Wayne Breen a homicide.  Breen was shot by his wife early Sunday morning in their Folsom area home, authorities say.

“We do know that there was a domestic violence past with this couple.  We know that it certainly played a role in their relationship,” St. Tammany Sheriff Jack Strain told WGNO News.

Strain says the Breen family was watching a movie last Saturday night when they fell asleep.  According to Strain, they awoke a little before 3:00 in the morning on Sunday and that’s when the couple began  arguing.

“We also know that what started in a discussion about their relationship escalated to an argument then to physical violence and then unfortunately causing Dr. Breen his life.”

Strain also said that in 2012, Mrs. Breen obtained a temporary restraining order against her husband which had since expired.

Coroner Dr. Charles Preston said Dr. Breen died from two gunshot wounds to the chest.

Dr. Breen was a gynecologist affiliated with the Doctors for Women Medical Center in Covington.

Strain said his detectives would look at the autopsy results and other investigative results before deciding if Breen’s wife should face charges.  He added that even if his office opted not to charge the woman, the parish district attorney’s office could bring charges on its own.