Wayne Curry, owner of Kraftwerk K9, has been charged with manslaughter after a 22-year-old employee was fatally shot during a video shoot at the dog training facility in Rochester, Washington.

WA dog training facility owner accused of killing employee

The shooting occurred as a production team filmed what investigators described as an advertising or training video demonstrating how Curry and his staff train dogs to respond to gunshots, and witnesses say the employee was struck while others on set looked on in shock.

Investigators with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office are handling the inquiry into the incident. The agency has said the fatal shooting unfolded at the facility located off of 183rd Avenue Southwest, where a crew was capturing training sequences involving gunfire and dogs. Owner of Rochester K9 training business arrested after …

According to authorities, “It was just sort of chaotic, about, sort of everybody’s emotions going crazy at once,” Lt. Mike Brooks said of the scene. He added a cautionary note about safety on sets involving firearms: “You don’t put people downrange in front of barrels. You just have to be so cautious.”

Investigators say Wayne shot the employee as a video crew and others looked on in shock. Several people standing around were either part of the filming or people doing the filming that were in distress, shook up about obviously what they just witnessed happen, officials said.

The victim, a 22-year-old employee, was fatally shot during the production; authorities have classified the case as manslaughter and arrested Curry. A court appearance for the defendant is scheduled for Wednesday.

Local coverage of the incident is available from outlets including FOX 13 Seattle, which reported details from the scene and statements from investigators. The incident has drawn attention because it occurred while a demonstration meant to show how dogs react to gunfire was being recorded. Man shot, killed during dog training filming in WA

Lt. Mike Brooks framed the emotional toll on those present: “We have family members who have lost a family member, friends who lost a friend,” he said, describing relatives and colleagues affected by the shooting. His comments highlighted both immediate shock and the broader human cost felt by people connected to the victim.

The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the shooting and to gather statements from witnesses who were on site during the filming. Authorities have identified the location as a dog training facility off of 183rd Avenue Southwest in Rochester, where Curry operated Kraftwerk K9.

The case now proceeds through the local criminal process with Curry facing a manslaughter charge and a scheduled Wednesday court appearance. The investigation by the sheriff’s office will inform any additional filings or court actions as the matter moves forward.

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Original reporting: view the original article.