A casual argument between a father and son over “stinky feet” took a tragic turn when one of the men accidentally shot the other in the face, according to police in the small town of Burlington in the US state of Iowa.
David Carpenter, 48, faces charges of attempted murder and child endangerment after he opened fire on his father on August 11 while one of his children was in the room.
Emergency services were dispatched at around 9.30pm on 11 August after the suspect phoned police to confess what he had done. The victim was sent to hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Local television station KCRG reported that police officers found two children under the age of 14 in the home.
The father, who was interviewed by investigators during his hospitalization, explained that his son lost control of his emotions during an argument about the smell of his feet.
The latter allegedly retrieved his firearm from his room and threatened his father, according to the complaint filed against the suspect.
It was while pointing his gun at his father that he accidentally pulled the trigger.
The victim’s injuries are no longer life-threatening, authorities said.
