Deputies: Wyoming teacher said she feared possible beating

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - A Wyoming teacher charged with first-degree murder for the shooting death of her fiancee allegedly told deputies she feared he would beat her.

Christopher Garcia, 39, died at a hospital Saturday after deputies found him wounded in the couple's home in Cheyenne. Danelle Moyte, 33, remained jailed Tuesday.

Moyte is a Title 1 teacher at Afflerbach Elementary School in Cheyenne and has been suspended with pay, according to Laramie County School District No. 1 officials.

Moyte made an initial court appearance Monday. Her public defender, State Public Defender Diane Lozano, did not return a message Tuesday seeking comment.

Garcia's daughter and Moyte's son called 911 to report Garcia had been shot by Moyte, according to a law enforcement affidavit.

Deputies arrived to find Moyte standing outside with her son. She allegedly told them she shot Garcia and the gun was in her sport-utility vehicle, the Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports.

She shot Garcia in self-defense after the couple returned home following an argument, Moyte allegedly said.

A pickup truck registered to Garcia was parked and still running in the driveway. Officers found Garcia wounded and unresponsive in an upstairs bedroom.

Moyte allegedly told officers "everyone was drinking" and "we never fight" but a fight had prompted Moyte to leave to spend time with a friend.