Man Critically Injured While Target Shooting
LOCKWOOD VALLEY — A Lockwood Valley man was in critical condition Saturday after being shot in the back accidentally by his 10-year-old son while the two were target shooting in the forest, authorities said.
Mark Gowen, 39, underwent surgery Saturday night at Ventura County Medical Center and was expected to recover, said Sheriff’s Capt. Bob LeMay.
Gowen was shot with a .22-caliber rifle shortly before 4 p.m. near Lockwood Valley Road in the Los Padres National Forest. The area is about 12 miles north of Ojai off California 33.
Gowen’s wife was in the area when the incident occurred and drove him to the nearby Ozena Fire Station, where he was picked up by a helicopter and airlifted to the hospital, LeMay said.
Detectives interviewed Gowen’s son and have ruled the shooting an accident, LeMay said.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
