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Minn. Dad, 90, Accused Of Killing His Son

MAPLEWOOD, Minn. (WCCO) -- An elderly Twin cities man is behind bars, accused of shooting and killing his own son.

Officers arrested 90-year-old Kenneth Henry Bowser at his Maplewood home on Saturday night. He told police he shot his 65-year-old son.

The shooting happened at the family's home on the 1200 block of Hilltop Court. Bowser and his son, Larry Bowser, lived together.

So far, investigators are working to figure out what led to the shooting.

First responders showed up to the home after getting a 911 call around 7:45 p.m. The caller said he shot and killed his son. Officers asked the 90-year-old man to come out of the home and arrested him. While searching the house, police found Larry Bowser dead of an apparent gunshot wound.

Police said Kenneth Bowser was lucid when recalling the details of the shooting.

"There was no difficulty or issues with his recalling of what had occurred," Maplewood Police Chief Paul Schnell said.

Craig St. Sauver lives right next to the home where Larry Bowser lived with his elderly father.

"He always had time to talk with you," St. Sauver said. "He putzed around in his yard, and he would always talk Twins baseball with me."

St. Sauver saw Larry Bowser for the last time Friday night. St. Sauver says he didn't know the elder Kenneth Bowser, but thought the two had a good relationship.

"I have young sons myself," St. Sauver said. "I just wouldn't ever think about doing that."

Another neighbor, Rodger Richard, says this kind of thing doesn't happen in their part of town.

"It's a shock to this neighborhood," Richard said. "This is a quiet neighborhood. Real peaceful here."

Chief Schnell says the tragedy highlights the issue of family violence.

"For families to evaluate whether or not weapons access is something that should be allowed," he said. "Are there things that might be done to intervene to provide a better or safer environment."

Kenneth Bowser had no prior criminal record. Many neighbors say they were told he has Alzheimers.

Charges in connection to the shooting could come as early as Tuesday.

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