A Vancouver father appeared in court Tuesday for allegedly shooting his adult son after an argument because “he was just tired of his behavior,” prosecutors said.
William Wayne Terry, 70, faces an allegation of first-degree domestic violence assault for the Memorial Day altercation. Terry, who goes by Wayne, is accused of shooting his 50-year-old son, Mark Christopher Terry, on Monday at 8619 Mount Thielson Ave., in the Vancouver Heights neighborhood, according to Vancouver police.
Mark Terry lives on the property, owned by his father, in a trailer in the driveway and has access to the home, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case.
When police arrived about 11:40 a.m., they found Mark Terry outside of the house and his father inside and refusing to come out, police said.
Mark Terry was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition.
During an interview with a Vancouver police detective, Wayne said he and his son had argued over food and money, the affidavit states.
Wayne told detectives that Mark left the house, locked the door on his way out and then kicked in the front door to re-enter the residence, according to the court record.
Wayne said he keeps a handgun and money on the second shelf of an end table. He thought Mark was reaching for the gun but instead he reached for the money, about $200, according to the court document. As Mark walked away, Wayne shot him in the abdomen, the affidavit states.
“Wayne stated that his intention was to shoot him because he had enough of Mark’s behavior,” the affidavit read. Detectives then wrote: “At no time did Mark approach Wayne in an aggressive manner or threaten to harm him, according to Wayne.”
Judge Gregory Gonzales set Wayne Terry’s bail at $350,000, adding that Mark Terry had turned to walk away from the argument when he was shot.
Wayne Terry is scheduled to be arraigned on June 9.
