The small community of Tipp City, Ohio, is reeling from the arrest of a former American Idol contestant, Caleb Flynn, accused of murdering his wife, according to a local neighbor.

Caleb Flynn, aged 39, was charged with the shooting death of his wife, Ashley Flynn, 37. Authorities allege he attempted to stage the crime scene to mislead law enforcement.

Following his arrest, Flynn pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges including murder, assault, and evidence tampering. He is accused of shooting his wife in the head while their daughters slept nearby in their home.

A neighbor disclosed to TMZ that their Ring security camera captured the arrival of approximately 20 police vehicles—both marked and unmarked—at the couple’s cul-de-sac early on February 19.

The incident has deeply unsettled the town, noted the neighbor, highlighting the tight-knit nature of the community where many residents are familiar with each other.

According to the neighbor, Caleb and Ashley Flynn seemed to be an ideal couple and were consistently courteous to those around them.

The arrest of American Idol contestant Caleb Flynn, 39 – who is accused in the murder of his wife Ashley, 37 – has left Tipp City, Ohio, the small town the family is from, in a state of shock 

Flynn was a regular at church while Ashley was frequently seen around the area with their daughters and dogs, said the neighbor. 

The family often hosted barbecues with friends and relatives, the neighbor said.

The neighbor said that ‘overwhelming evidence’ had led most of the residents in Tipp City to believe Flynn was involved in the murder. 

In a video arraignment, Flynn told Judge Samuel Huffman, ‘I just want to take care of my daughters – I’m not a risk.’ 

The judge set his bond at $2 million for Flynn, who a neighbor described to TMZ as having the image of a ‘model citizen and ideal father’ prior to the killing. 

Ashley was found dead Monday after officers received a report of a burglary and shooting at a Tipp City home, according to a news release by Tipp City Police. Flynn and two children were inside the home when officers arrived.

In a 911 call released by authorities, a frantic Flynn could be heard informing a dispatcher someone broke into his home and killed his wife. 

Flynn said she was shot multiple times in the head and he didn’t know whether the intruder was still there.

Authorities arrested and charged Caleb Flynn, 39, in the shooting and killing of his spouse Ashley, 37; and subsequently staging the crime scene to mislead investigators 

Flynn had been seen on American Idol 12th season in 2013 

‘There’s blood everywhere, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God,’ Flynn said on the recording. 

His attorney, Patrick Mulligan, said in a statement on Saturday he and Flynn were ‘disappointed and concerned about the short timeline and seeming rush to judgment in this case.

‘When the government runs out of leads or can´t develop leads and looks at a surviving spouse in cases such as these, the chance of a wrongful conviction increases,’ Mulligan said.

Tipp City Police Chief Greg Adkins defended the investigation, saying in an email on Saturday that it had ‘not moved fast’ but ‘has progressed at a pace dictated by a thorough and deliberate investigative process.’

Ashley Flynn was a middle school volleyball coach and substitute teacher, Tipp City Schools said on its Facebook page.

‘She was known for her beautiful smile, warmth, kindness, and the positive impact she had on so many-both in and out of the classroom and on the court,’ the post said.