x
Breaking News
More () »

'If you knew him you would understand': Son admitted to killing father, texting people that he was going to prison

24-year-old Drake B. Hughes told dispatch that there had been a murder. He then told dispatch that he was the one who shot the victim, his father.

SPOKANE, Wash. — A man accused of shooting and killing another man in North Spokane on Thursday night has been identified, according to police.

Just before 8 p.m. on Thursday night, Spokane County Deputies responded to a shooting near the 7000 block of North Altamont. The caller, who was later identified as 24-year-old Drake B. Hughes, is the suspect and son of the victim.

Police said Drake Hughes told dispatch that there has been a murder at the location. He then told dispatch that he was the one who shot the victim, later identified as Jason T. Hughes, and that the weapon he used was out of ammunition and sitting on the living room table.

According to a request for a search warrant, Drake Hughes told dispatch, "If you knew [my father] you would understand."

While speaking with dispatch, he went outside his residence to wait for police.

Drake Hughes also allegedly texted multiple people to tell them he shot his father and was going to prison before calling police, according to an affidavit of facts. He was detained without incident.

Once Drake Hughes's father was located by medical personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

No other victims or people were located, according to police.

According to an affidavit of facts, Drake Hughes waived his right to remain silent and told detectives that he shot and killed his father. He also admitted to smoking methamphetamine at 2 a.m. Thursday morning, approximately 16 hours before the shooting, and to telling his father by phone that he was going to kill him.

Drake Hughes then told detectives that he has been contemplating killing his father since earlier in the day on Thursday.

The affidavit continues to state that before leaving his residence on Thursday, Drake Hughes cocked his 1911 .45 caliber pistol "so all he would have to do is take it off safe" once he arrived at his father's house.

Drake Hughes said he took an Uber to his father's house on Thursday. While he was on his way, he said he stopped at a gas station for a pack of cigarettes before continuing to his father's house.

Once he arrived, Drake Hughes said his father let him in and the two talked about their father-son relationship. He told detectives that he stepped outside to ash his cigarette before returning inside and shooting his father.

He was booked into the Spokane County Jail on a first-degree murder charge. He is currently being held on a $1 million bond and will appear in court for an arraignment hearing on Feb. 22, 2022.

Investigators, Forensic Unit Technicians, and Traffic Unit Scene Technicians remained at the residence through the night and into the early morning.

As of Thursday, Feb. 17, a search warrant has been requested for Jason Hughes's house and for Drake Hughes's DNA and blood.

The investigation is ongoing. 

This is an ongoing news story and we will provide more updates as we receive them.

Before You Leave, Check This Out