Video: Elderly man charged with killing caregiver

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UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. - Prosecutors today charged 91-year-old Joe Conway Elder with second-degree murder in the death of his caregiver.

Police say he shot and killed 39-year-old Ramoncito Barro, the owner of Total Care Adult Home in University Place.

Barro's in-laws, who work at the home, say Barro had just brought Elder a plate of grapes Tuesday when they heard the single shot.

They heard the father of five yell "you shot me." He later died.

"Something happened in the room while he was there and he ended up getting shot," said Mark Fulghum, Tacoma police spokesperson.

In court today prosecutors said Elder was labeled "incapacitated" by a King County judge last September for a number of mental health conditions.

"That he suffers from major depression, delusional disorders, and personality disorders," said Gerald Costello, deputy prosecuting attorney.

Elder had to be wheeled into court and he needed a hearing aid. He's being moved from jail to Western State Hospital for a mental evaluation.

The gun was registered in Elder's name, but it's not clear to state regulators how he was able to have it in his room. That's being investigated.

Weapons are allowed at the homes if the residents are deemed safe and only if the weapons are locked up with the managers.

KING

91-year-old Joe Conway Elder was charged today with second-degree murder in the death of his caregiver.

Joe Elder's caregivers say they did not know he had a gun.

When residents move into group homes, the managers are supposed to take an inventory of their items.

It is not clear if that was done when Elder moved in last December.

Funds have been set up at Columbia Bank and Washington Mutual to support Barro's family.