Kelso Man Arrested After Shooting His Father With Byrna Pepper Ball Gun

KELSO, Wash. — A 38-year-old Kelso man was arrested Friday night after police said he shot his 72-year-old father during an incident in South Kelso.

Kelso Police responded at about 4:04 p.m. Aug. 21 to the 1300 block of South 13th Avenue following a report of a shooting in progress. Initial information indicated that an unknown male had shot at the occupant of another vehicle before fleeing in a silver Ford F-150 passenger truck.

Officers located 72-year-old Warren Wakefield at the scene suffering from wounds to his head and chest.

Later Friday, members of the public reported seeing the suspect vehicle in South Kelso. At about 8:30 p.m., officers located the silver F-150 and confirmed it was the vehicle sought in connection with the shooting.

Police contacted the driver and a passenger identified as the suspected shooter, 38-year-old Buddy Wakefield, the son of Warren Wakefield.

According to police, Buddy Wakefield confessed to shooting his father with a Byrna pepper ball gun before fleeing the area as a passenger in the truck, which was being driven by his roommate.

Wakefield was arrested and transported to jail, where he was booked on a charge of second-degree assault, domestic violence.

The investigation remains ongoing.