A Washington state man is facing murder charges after he allegedly killed his own adult daughter over an argument about installing a baby gate.
According to Buzzfeed News, Wendell Wilson, 68, shot and killed his daughter Lila Wilson, 38, at the home they lived in together with Lila’s husband and the couple’s toddler in Renton on June 10.
LilaWilson’s toddler was “mere feet away” when his mother was shot to death, prosecutors said.
Her husband was not at home at the time, the Seattle Times reports.
Wendell Wilson allegedly shot Lila “six times, including twice in her head.”
Wendell Wilson told authorities that he and his daughter “got into an argument about putting a gate up in the kitchen to block the baby because he is mobile.”
He insisted that the gate wouldn’t work and the two began arguing. Wilson told authorities that they “got in each other’s face” when Lila threatened to move out and slammed a door in his face.
“I went and I got my gun and shot her,” Wilson allegedly admitted, with clear intentions of killing his daughter.
According to Buzzfeed, when questioned later, Wilson backtracked, expressing uncertainty about whether he intended to kill his daughter, hurt her, or scare her.
When asked why he decided to pull a gun in the argument, Wilson allegedly said that it “comes down to a dominance thing” and he didn’t want his daughter to have the last say in the verbal altercation.
After the shooting, Wilson reportedly called 911, telling the dispatcher, “I need social services for a baby because I just killed her mom, the baby’s mother.”
Wilson also called Gay Horton, his ex-wife and Lila’s adopted mother, and apparently announced his plans right before the shooting.
“I’m gonna kill Lila,” Wilson allegedly said before hanging up.
He then called Horton back a minute later stating, “I shot her, I killed her.”
Wilson is currently being held on $2 million bond and is expected to appear in court for arraignment next Thursday.
There is a GoFundMe campaign to help Lila’s family with any emergency expenses including “funeral arrangements, legal costs, or other living expenses.”
“Lila C. Wilson was a years-long friend and loved one to many of us in the Seattle dance music community, taken from us far too soon this week at age 38,” the campaign description reads. “Lila was known for her ready smile that would light up a room, her fierce dancing, and as a warrior for those who needed help most, including migrant families and those in marginalized communities. She was a gorgeous soul, and so many of us are in shock with her passing.”