KENT, Wash. – The son of Washington Lt. Gov. Brad Owen was shot by his employer at a Kent auto body shop Monday afternoon, law enforcement sources tell KING 5 News.
The shooting happened at about 2:30 p.m. at KBP Paints - a paint, body and fabrications shop - at 831 5th Avenue S.
Police say Mark Owen is a part-time bookkeeper at the shop and had gotten into an argument of some sort with his employer. The employer allegedly shot Owen in the arm and abdomen, and then later shot himself in the head.
"The person who shot my son is also one of my very best friends," said Brad Owen. "From what I understand, they'd had a meeting, it didn't go too well. Carlos got upset and confronted my son."
He said his son and the owner had a rocky relationship as of late, most recently dealing with financial troubles.
Both were rushed to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Owen is in satisfactory condition. His employer was last reported to have life-threatening injuries.
Sources tell KING 5 News that the employer has recently been despondent and suicidal.
"The other person came out and attempted to commit suicide in front of those employees in the main area of the building," said Kent Police Chief Steve Strachan.
Monday night, with his best friend in critical condition and his son recovering from surgery, Brad Owen finds himself grappling with many emotions.
Brad Owen has been Lt. Governor of Washington since 1996. He has six children.
