A soon-to-be Missouri father was allegedly shot and killed defending his pregnant fiancée throughout an argument together with his dad on Christmas Eve as his mom waited for the couple at her residence to have a good time the vacation.
Harold Luster was charged with first-degree homicide and armed prison motion in reference to the loss of life of his son Kevin Ward.
“A senseless act took my baby away from me,” Katherine Ward tearfully informed KSDK on Friday.
Ward stated Kevin, 26, and his fiancée, Kaitlyn, had visited his Luster, 61, on Christmas Eve earlier than the couple deliberate on heading to her residence.
“(Harold) and another family member had been arguing prior, that did not have nothing to do with Kevin,” Ward defined.
“He was already worked up over that incident.”
Luster allegedly accused Ward’s mom of dishonest on him and accused Kaitlyn, who’s 6 months pregnant, of “withholding information,” the outlet reported, citing court docket data.
Police stated Luster grabbed a gun when Kevin intervened.
In keeping with the Kansas Metropolis Star, Luster requested Kaitlyn if she wished to get shot.
Ward stated Luster referred to as her through the argument as she was getting ready to have the couple over for Christmas Eve and heard her son saying, “Dad, why are you doing this? I don’t deserve this,” earlier than he ended the decision.
He’s accused of fatally capturing his son within the brow moments later
Luster then allegedly referred to as Ward a second time — telling her he had shot somebody.
“Kevin died with a gunshot to his forehead and his hands tucked in his pockets,” Ward informed the outlet.
“He was ultimately going to shoot Kevin’s fiancée and Kevin sacrificed himself, he was the hero that night. He would rather die than have her and that baby taken.”
The grieving mom stated she by no means cheated on Luster, describing their relationship as “on and off again.”
She additionally claimed that he was bodily and mentally abusive to her and was dwelling with one other girl on the time he allegedly killed their son.
Kevin and Kaitlyn have been anticipating their child in June, his mom stated.
Working as a upkeep employee on the Missouri Division of Transportation, Ward stated her son’s important objective was to purchase his youngster a house and construct a loving household.
“I will have to sit there and hold his baby for the first time because he won’t be able to,” Ward informed the outlet with tears streaming down her face.
“My son was the best. He was a great kid that didn’t deserve that night and I wish 1,000 times he never went down there. But me and him never would have thought this would ever happen. It’s almost like I’m in a nightmare and I can’t get out.”
Luster was arrested on Wednesday night time and charged with first-degree homicide and armed prison motion in reference to the loss of life of his son.
He’s at present jailed in Jefferson County with out bond.
He pleaded not responsible on Thursday and can return to court docket on Jan. 3 for his bond overview listening to, in response to KSDK.
Ward, who is predicted to attend the listening to, stated she is going to struggle to verify her son didn’t die in useless.
“My son cannot breathe, my son cannot walk, my son cannot see, my son is not here no more. Why should (Harold) get the pleasure of sitting, even though it’s a jail cell, he’s still alive, and I want him to suffer every day at that memory,” Ward acknowledged.
“As far as justice, he deserves life.”
