NATCHEZ — The man accused of killing his wife Sunday with multiple shotgun blasts recently had a complaint of suspicious behavior filed against him.

Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said a complaint was filed about Frederick Fleming last week. Fleming had allegedly gone to the home of a co-worker and tried to force a confrontation. The co-worker contacted the ACSO because Fleming “was suspicious in his movements,” Mayfield said.

The report was filed, but the co-worker declined to press charges.

Sunday, Fleming, 45, 467 Cranfield Road was arrested on charges of murder. He made his initial appearance in Adams County Justice Court Monday afternoon.

Fleming’s attorney, Deborah McDonald, waived a formal reading of the charges against him and entered a pleading of “not guilty” on behalf of her client.

Judge Patricia Dunmore noted that on Fleming’s original arrest warrant Judge Charlie Vess — to whom the case will be assigned for trial matters — declined to set a bond until the defendant could be mentally evaluated. Dunmore did not change the order.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call of a possible homicide at Fleming’s address at 5:52 a.m. Sunday. The call was made by Fleming’s teenage son.

When the dispatched deputy arrived, the officer found Eyevette Fleming — the suspect’s wife — lying on her side in the home’s dining area. She had sustained multiple shotgun wounds.

Frederick Fleming was on the scene, and Mayfield said deputies found enough probable cause to arrest him. He didn’t display an agitated demeanor.

“He was calm — he didn’t give any trouble,” Mayfield said.

The suspected murder weapon, a 12-gauge shotgun, was found sitting in the rain outside the house. The ammunition used was No. 6 birdshot, Mayfield said.

Deputies were able to recover three shells. The gun was taken for forensic testing.

The sheriff declined to comment on a possible motive, saying that the incident is still under investigation.

The teenage son who was at the residence is staying with relatives, Mayfield said.

Fleming is an Adams County employee who works for the road department.

County Administrator Joe Murray informed the board of supervisors Monday that the county’s employee handbook specifies that anyone who works for the county, if they are arrested on felony charges, must be placed on administrative leave without pay until their case has reached a conclusion.

If the employee is convicted, their employment may be subject to termination, Murray said.