NEW GERMANY - A Barss Corner man has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his estranged wife outside a New Germany grocery store June 30.

 Wayne Paul Eisnor was still in a Halifax hospital Friday in critical condition from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

 That didn't stop police from charging him in the death of his wife, Christina (Tina) Mae Eisnor, who died shortly before midnight on the day of the shootings in the same Halifax hospital.

 When Mr. Eisnor, 47, might appear in court remains unclear.

 "His appearance will be at a future time depending, of course, on his medical progress," RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Brigdit Leger said Friday.

 The double-shooting happened around 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Barry's Fresh Mart on Highway 10.

 The couple, who had been married for more than 20 years, had recently separated. She was living in Hemford.

 Witnesses said it appeared Mr. Eisnor was waiting outside the store in a vehicle. After his wife got into her van, he ran over, broke the glass in the driver's-side window and shot her in the head.

 He then shot himself in the head and fell to the ground, a handgun beside him.

 An employee outside on a break said she heard a popping noise, a woman's scream and then a second popping noise.

 "We just walked up and seen him laying on the ground, blood on his face and the gun laying beside him and the van window smashed out. We never really clued in that someone was in the van shot, but as soon as we seen him we ran inside, 'Call 911, he's got a gun,'" Arlene Flemming said.

 The woman said she's known the couple "forever" and was clearly shocked by the events.

 Employees said Mr. Eisnor tried to get up from the pavement, but couldn't. Police instructed the employees to stay inside at the back of the store.

 Mounties and EHS paramedics rushed to the scene. As word spread, distraught family members also arrived.

 Ms Eisnor, 42, was rushed by ambulance to South Shore Regional Hospital and was later transferred to Halifax.

 A LifeFlight helicopter landed at the nearby ball field and took Mr. Eisnor to the QEII.

 Mr. Eisnor worked part time as a truck driver. He also sold Christmas trees and wreaths in the winter and produce in the summer.

 Ms Eisnor delivered mail and, until recently, tended bar at the local Legion. She also worked part time at the liquor corporation outlet.

 The couple have two adult children, a boy and a girl.