Police arrested an Augusta man who reportedly admitted to shooting his wife to death outside of his south Richmond County home Tuesday morning.

Calvin Wayne Foster, 36, of the 1800 block of Kohosh Court, was charged with malice murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, according to Richmond County jail records.

Sheriff's Sgt. Richard Roundtree said Mr. Foster and his estranged wife, Daphne Jenkins Foster, 34, of the 3600 block of Woodleg Drive, were arguing inside Mr. Foster's home when they took the fight outside to the porch at about 8:30 a.m.

Mrs. Foster reportedly tried to run away from her husband, fleeing toward a home two doors away, which is where Mr. Foster began shooting at her, authorities say.

"It was basically a domestic, verbal altercation which escalated," he said, refusing to elaborate on the source of the spat.

Ambulance workers took Mrs. Foster to Medical College of Georgia Hospital, where she died in the emergency room about an hour after the attack, Richmond County Coroner Grover Tuten said.

In describing her injuries, Mr. Tuten would only say that more than three bullets had hit her "all over," but mainly in the upper torso, and that her cause of death was likely excessive bleeding.

None of the residents of the small cul de sac off Old Waynesboro Road witnessed the assault, but several heard the shots, which officials said likely were fired from a pistol.

Immediately after Mrs. Foster's shooting, her husband reportedly drove off in her car. Less than 30 minutes later he confessed to the crime, the sergeant said.

"He said there had been domestic problems," Sgt. Roundtree said. "But there are no such reports on record."

The Fosters moved to Augusta from Jefferson County six months ago and had been together for eight years. It's unclear how long ago they were separated, Sgt. Roundtree said.

Together, they have two children, and Mrs. Foster had three children of her own from a previous relationship.

Sgt. Roundtree said the youngsters are currently in the custody of the Department of Family and Children's Services and that DFCS staff members will be deciding soon who will care for them.

Reach Dena Levitz at (706) 823-3339 or dena.levitz@augustachronicle.com.