EDITORIAL NOTE: This story includes graphic, detailed information about a crime. Reader discretion is advised.
A Renton man is facing murder charges after shooting his daughter near her toddler during a “petty” argument about a baby gate.
Charges were filed against Wendell Allen Wilson, 68, for shooting and killing his daughter, Lila Wilson, 38, in Renton on Monday, June 10.
Wendell Wilson allegedly shot his daughter over what prosecuting attorney’s described as a petty argument, all while her 14-month-old baby was home. He’s been charged with first-degree murder, with a firearm enhancement, domestic violence and having a child present in a domestic violence assault.
The suspect spoke to officers at the scene and in a second interview where he described the incident, according to charging documents. The suspect said he was “dead meat anyway.”
According to charging documents, Wendell Wilson lived at the Brighton Ridge apartments on Northeast Fourth Street in Renton with his daughter Lila Wilson, her husband and their baby. Her husband was not home at the time.
The two got into an argument over putting up a baby gate in the apartment, according to the suspect. He states that she threatened to move out.
“I just went and got the gun and shot her,” Wendell Wilson told police in the documents.
The gun was located in the master bedroom in an unlocked gun case in the closet, already loaded, according to Wilson’s statement. He also called someone else before grabbing the gun, and told them he was going to kill his daughter, according to the report.
Detectives asked him what made him get the gun, and he said he didn’t know. He initially said she slapped him, but later said he wasn’t sure.
He told detectives shooting his daughter came down to a “dominance thing,” and that he didn’t intend to kill her, but did intend to shoot her. She was backing away in a defensive posture, Wilson stated to police.
Wilson then called 911 and said he needed “social services for a baby because I just killed her mom.”
Officers found the victim inside the apartment with gunshot wounds to the head, thigh and abdomen, and six shell casings found near her body. The handgun was in an open case on the patio.
The baby was at the apartment at the time of the shooting, “mere feet away,” according to the case summary.
Bond is set at $2 million. Wilson’s arraignment hearing is June 27 at the Regional Justice Center.