Prosecutors have reduced a manslaughter charge against a Cortez man accused in the fatal shooting of his father.
Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court records show that on Aug. 18, the state attorney’s office amended Ian Turner Douglas’ charge from aggravated manslaughter of an elderly person, a first-degree felony, to manslaughter by culpable negligence with a firearm, a second-degree felony.
Douglas, 35, called 911 on July 28 to report accidentally shooting his father, Andrew Beardsley Douglas, 77, at their residence at 12301 Bay Pointe Terrace, Cortez. First responders attempted life-saving measures on the elder Douglas, but he was pronounced dead at 12:20 p.m., according to Manatee County Sheriff’s Office reports.
Ian Douglas admitted he knew the gun was loaded and he accidentally pulled the trigger. He told deputies he tried to apply pressure to the wound before paramedics arrived, according to the reports.
Douglas was released from the Manatee County jail Aug. 1 but was re-arrested the next day after detectives, during a search of the home he shared with his father, found more than 12 pounds of marijuana, THC edibles, resin and distribution tools.
He was arrested on a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to sell, a second-degree felony that could result in 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.
Douglas is scheduled to appear at hearings at 9 a.m. Sept. 12, on the manslaughter charge and 9 a.m. Sept. 19, on the drug charge at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.