LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A 78-year-old man, who shot and killed his son in April, was indicted on a murder charge by a Lubbock County grand jury.
Michael Vernie Owens made the call and said he shot and killed Michael Joseph Owens in late April. Deputies arrived at the scene and found Michael Joseph Owens with a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
Michael Vernie Owens then approached them and told deputies he was the victim’s dad.
According to court records filed by investigators, Michael Vernie Owens said his son had been taking Social Security money from his bank account for several months. He said his son threatened him more than once in the past and assaulted on prior occasions. However, he did not report any of the alleged assaults.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘I think I snapped’: 78-year-old charged with murder after son’s death
He said his son told him, “I’m going to kill you,” on multiple occasions, according to documents. He told detectives his son said that so many times “that it lost its value.”
On Wednesday, he went to open a new bank account and transfer his money so his son would no longer have access to it. He said his son found out about his trip to the bank and confronted him outside of an RV on the main property of the home.
He said his son whispered, “I’m going to kill you,” and made a move toward him. That’s when Michael Vernie Owens shot him in the head.
He told detectives, “I think I snapped,” according to documents. “I either snapped or had enough,” he added.
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