Son Pleads Guilty To Killing Dad In Loudoun County

LEESBURG, VA—A man pleaded guilty Monday to fatally shooting his father in July 2017 and then burning down their home in an attempt to cover up the murder in the Lucketts area of Loudoun County. Michael F. Bowles, 21, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and arson, and now faces life in prison after appearing before Circuit Court Judge Jeanette Irby.

In testimony from previous court appearances, according to Loudoun Now, a high school friend said Bowles had told him he needed to make a human sacrifice. That was just days before he shot Mario Bowles, 52, with a sawed-off shotgun. The younger Bowles had been under treatment for schizophrenia. Sentencing is scheduled for May. 21.