In shocking news, As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis has been arrested in Oceanside, Calif., in an alleged plot to hire a hitman to kill his estranged wife.

According to Fox 5 in San Diego, the musician was arrested at a store on Vista Way in Oceanside this afternoon (May 7) after allegedly soliciting an undercover detective to kill his spouse.

Authorities began investigating the singer last Thursday (May 2) when they received a tip that he allegedly was trying to get someone to commit the murder, according to deputies. Lambesis was booked into the Vista Jail on suspicion of solicitation of murder.

According to Reuters, a spokesperson for the San Diego County Sheriff's Department confirmed the arrest, stating, "The information came to us late last week. We acted quickly on it. I believe that we averted a great tragedy."

The PRP reports that Lambesis is expected to appear in court on Thursday (May 9) at 1:30PM PT for his arraignment.

According to Billboard, Lambesis and his estranged wife Meggan had adopted three children from Ethiopia together before Meggan filed for divorce in September 2012.

In an interview with the frontman published on Loudwire earlier this year, Lambesis told Full Metal Jackie about his life as a father, stating, "My kids are adopted and I’ve visited their country – they’re from Ethiopia and that was eye opening to what the world is really like, at least a third of the world. I think that just influences my entire world view even if I’m not necessarily writing a song about humanitarian work, I’m writing a song about what truly makes us happy in life and those types of think that have been influenced by my experiences."

The Grammy-nominated metalcore act was set to embark on a North American trek later this month, but it is not known as of yet how Lambesis' legal status will affect the shows.

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