Bail set at $2 million in father’s alleged shooting of son

Published 8:50 pm Tuesday, November 10, 2015

TULALIP — A 64-year-old man talked to his wife about saving the world minutes before he allegedly shot their son with a rifle.

Earlier that evening he accused his other son of being the “anti-Christ,” Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Paul Stern wrote in court papers.

Stern has charged Gordon Ayars Jr. with first-degree assault with a firearm. On Monday, Ayars, 64, pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was being held on $2 million bail.

His son, 30, remained at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. He has serious injuries to his liver, pancreas and other organs, court papers said. As of last week, he continued to suffer from infections and was unable to use his right arm.

“According to medical personnel he is still facing potential lethal complications from his injuries,” Stern wrote.

Ayars’ wife told police that her husband was dealing with some financial pressures and medical issues before the Oct. 16 shooting.

The family had gathered to celebrate a birthday. Ayars reportedly became upset and criticized his son, who left. The defendant and his wife went to their bedroom to have a private discussion. Ayars reportedly told his wife to leave the house. She agreed to go and sent their other son to collect her medication in the bedroom.

She heard a commotion and explained to one of the houseguests that “there’s some spiritual war going on here,” Stern wrote. Then she heard a gunshot.

Their son was hit on his right side. The bullet entered his right side near the rib cage and exited between his shoulder and the base of his neck.

Police later discovered that the gun was fired twice.

Ayars has no prior criminal convictions.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley.