Man killed during filming of dog training facility promotional video
THURSTON COUNTY, Wa. (KING) – A nationally-known dog trainer in Washington state is facing charges of manslaughter.
Curtice Gordan, 23, was killed June 3 during the filming of a promotional video.
His employer, Wayne Curry, is accused of reckless behavior that caused the young man’s death.
Gordan’s mother said he had planned out the rest of his life and was planning to marry Leria Wilson.
“He’s just really funny. He liked making jokes, liked making people laugh,” his fiancée said.
Gordan dreamed of a career training German shepherds.
He was the manager at Kraftwork K-9 in South Thurston County and starred in promotional videos. Occasionally he was the villain with the dogs and the owner, Wayne Curry.
His family said he was always willing to participate in the videos but raised concerns about Curry’s plans to use live ammunition in one last week, saying the owner had been careless with firearms before.
According to investigators with a crew recording a video, Curry used a loaded rifle to demonstrate how his dogs supposedly did not react to gunfire, but police say one of the dogs did react and caused Curry to jerk and fire a shot that hit Gordan in the face, killing him.
The family wants Curry held able and they’re meeting with civil attorneys and weighing legal action.
Curry was ed multiple times for a statement but never responded.
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