A 78-year-old man reportedly told Lubbock homicide investigators that a deadly shooting erupted at his home after he “snapped” when his 37-year-old son threatened to kill him for opening a new bank account to keep him from stealing his Social Security money.
Michael Vernie Owens was booked Thursday into the Lubbock County Detention Center on a count of murder, which carries a punishment of five years to life in prison.
Ownes was arrested at his home in the 1600 block of 126th Street where Lubbock County Sheriff’s Deputies initially responded to a 7:20 p.m. Wednesday shots fired call.
Responding deputies found Michael Joseph Owens dead from an apparent gunshot wound to the head.
His father, Michael Vernie Owens, reportedly told the deputies he shot his son and met with investigators with the Lubbock Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit, according to a probable-cause affidavit filed with his arrest warrant.
During his interview, Owens reportedly told deputies that his son had been physically and financially abusing him for months, the documents state.
He reportedly told investigators that his son had been stealing money out of his bank account and threatened to kill him so many times that it lost its effect.
Owens told investigators he went to his bank earlier that day to open a new account that his son wouldn’t be able to access.
However, he said his son learned that he went to the bank that day and went to his RV parked in the rear of his residence to confront him about it.
He said his son banged on the door of his RV and was standing at the bottom of the steps when he answered the door.
Owens said his son whispered a threat to kill him and moved towards him.
“I guess I lost it then,” Owens reportedly told investigators. “I shot him. I think I snapped. I either snapped or I just had enough.”
Owens said he shot his son once in the head and didn’t give him first aid because he believed he was dead.
Investigators obtained a warrant for his arrest and he was booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center on a charge of murder.
His bond is set at $250,000, according to jail records.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock records say dad shot son during fight over bank account, theft
Reporting by Gabriel Monte, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
