Mark Pray

Mark Pray, a 72-year-old man from Orting, Washington, was fatally shot on April 15, 2021, during a confrontation with his stepson at a family property near Lake Kapowsin in Pierce County. What began as an argument over allegedly stolen beer inside a woodworking shop escalated into a deadly shooting. Investigators determined that Pray suffered gunshot wounds to his head and chest. His death led to the arrest of his stepson, Ryan Harris, who was subsequently charged with murder.

According to court documents, Harris, who was 43 at the time, had been living with his mother and stepfather for approximately five years. On the afternoon of April 15, the two men were working on woodworking projects in a detached workshop on the family's property along Elkhorn Boulevard East. An argument reportedly began when Pray accused Harris of stealing his beer. Harris later claimed that Pray threw a hammer at him during the confrontation, with the handle striking or grazing his face. According to statements attributed to Harris in charging documents, he then went into the family residence, retrieved his stepfather's handgun, returned to the confrontation, and shot Pray.

The incident came to the attention of authorities at approximately 2 p.m. when a neighbor contacted 911. The neighbor told dispatchers that Harris had called him and admitted shooting his stepfather. The neighbor also reported seeing Harris drive past shortly before receiving the telephone call. Pierce County Sheriff's Department deputies responded to the property but initially found no one inside the residence or elsewhere on the grounds. Pray's vehicle was also missing, raising concerns about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

When Pray's wife returned home, she informed investigators that her husband and stepson had been working in the detached workshop. Deputies conducted a closer examination of the building and discovered what appeared to be blood on the floor and a cabinet. Despite the evidence suggesting a violent confrontation, Pray's whereabouts remained unknown. Investigators expanded their efforts to locate Harris and the missing vehicle.

Approximately three hours after the initial emergency call, a detective located Pray's van near the intersection of 136th Street East and Meridian Avenue East in the South Hill area. Harris was inside the vehicle and was detained for questioning. Investigators subsequently discovered blood and firearms inside the van, although they initially could not determine whether any of the recovered weapons had been used in the shooting.

During questioning, Harris acknowledged arguing with his stepfather about the beer and described the confrontation involving the hammer. However, he denied killing Pray and disputed the neighbor's account that he had confessed to the shooting. According to investigators, Harris claimed that he had gathered a bag of belongings, taken his dog, and left the property in his stepfather's vehicle following the argument. Detectives also reported that while Harris was waiting to be interviewed, he tore pieces from his pants and swallowed them. Investigators collected his clothing and shoes as evidence and reportedly discovered blood on his footwear.

As the investigation continued, detectives obtained a search warrant allowing them to conduct a more extensive examination of the family property. At approximately 11 p.m., investigators discovered Pray's body outside, roughly 100 yards from the workshop, near a barn. His remains had been placed on a dolly and concealed beneath two large pieces of metal siding. A preliminary examination by a medical examiner investigator revealed gunshot wounds to the head and chest, confirming that Pray had died from a violent attack.

On April 16, 2021, Pierce County prosecutors formally charged Harris with first-degree murder and theft of a motor vehicle. During his initial appearance in Pierce County Superior Court, Harris entered a plea of not guilty. Superior Court Judge Diana L. Kiesel ordered him held in the Pierce County Jail with bail set at $1 million. Prosecutors relied on evidence recovered from the property, witness statements, the discovery of Pray's body, and Harris's statements to investigators in establishing the criminal case against him.

The case eventually moved toward a resolution without a jury trial. On April 12, 2022, Harris, then 44, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Pierce County Superior Court. As part of his written guilty plea, Harris admitted that he had intentionally shot and killed his stepfather. The admission marked a significant change from his initial statements to investigators, when he denied responsibility for Pray's death.

Following the guilty plea, prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed to recommend a prison sentence of 12 years and three months. The proposed sentence fell within Washington's standard sentencing range for the offense, and court reporting noted that Harris had no previous felony convictions. His sentencing hearing was scheduled for June 7, 2022. However, the available reporting did not establish the exact sentence ultimately imposed by the court, so the recommended prison term should not be treated as a confirmed final sentence.

Mark Pray's death was ultimately attributed to an intentional shooting committed by a member of his own family. The investigation established that a disagreement inside the family workshop escalated into a fatal confrontation, followed by an attempt to conceal his remains and departure from the property in his vehicle. The neighbor's emergency call, the discovery of physical evidence, and the subsequent recovery of Pray's body helped investigators identify and apprehend the person responsible. Harris's guilty plea to second-degree murder brought a legal resolution to the homicide prosecution, although it could not undo the devastating loss experienced by Pray's surviving family members.