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Kan. suspect in shooting of father, son faces murder charge

Towner-photo Shawnee Co.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The suspect in the shooting of a father and son is now facing a murder charge after one of the victims died.

John Wesley Towner Jr. was charged Thursday with second-degree murder in the death of 34-year-old John Austin Jr. in January.

Towner originally was charged with two counts of attempted murder and other crimes.

Austin and his 57-year-old father, John Austin Sr., were shot on January 22 outside a central Topeka home.

Towner is being held on $100,000 bond. His jury trial is scheduled to begin June 11.

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