Sheriff: Father killed son during gun battle

FATAL SHOOTING

CUMBERLAND — Authorities have identified a man shot and killed at his Guernsey County home Friday night as 63-year-old Jeffery King.

King was shot by his father, Carl C. King, 84, of the same Iowa Road residence, during a shootout that began with shots being fired by the younger King at his parents, according to the Guernsey County sheriff’s office. His 81-year-old mother was home at the time of the incident.

The parents were not injured during the incident that included more than a dozen shots being fired by the son and father.

Guernsey County detectives said evidence at the scene corroborated the account by the elder Kings as to how the shooting occurred.

According to Lt. Sam Williams, Jeffery King returned home just before 8 p.m. Friday and began arguing with his mother. He was intoxicated at the time, the parents told investigators.

“The victim threatened to kill his mother and then emerged from his room with a handgun and began firing at his parents,” said Williams. “The father was able to retrieve a small caliber rifle from the kitchen and fired in self-defense of his wife and himself, striking his son.”

The mother placed a 911 call seeking help. The dispatcher reported he heard gunshots being fired during the call.

Detectives did not say how many times the victim was shot.

When deputies entered the residence, Jeffery King was still breathing, but he died a short time later despite the efforts of medical personnel.

An autopsy was ordered at the Licking County Coroner’s Office.

Williams said once the sheriff’s office receives the final autopsy results, detectives will meet with the Guernsey County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to have the case presented to a grand jury for further consideration of whether charges should be filed against the father.

“While we believe he fired in self-defense, that is the proper way to handle the case,” Williams said.