In a tragic and deeply ironic incident, the owner of a prominent dog training facility in Rochester, Washington, has been arrested following the fatal shooting of a young employee. Wayne George Curry, 64, who runs Kraftwerk K9, a dog training business, is now facing serious legal consequences after what authorities describe as a fatal accident that occurred during the filming of a gun safety promotional video.
The incident unfolded on the morning of June 3, 2025, when authorities were called to the Kraftwerk K9 facility in response to a shooting. A 22-year-old man, later identified as Curtice Gordon, was found unconscious with a gunshot wound to his face.
Emergency responders arrived swiftly, but unfortunately, Gordon was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:37 a.m. The tragedy stunned the local community and sparked a criminal investigation that has now led to charges of first-degree manslaughter against Curry.
The Sequence of Events Leading to the Shooting
According to court documents and eyewitness reports, the shooting occurred while the Kraftwerk K9 team was filming a video intended to highlight the effectiveness of trained dogs in home defense situations. The concept behind the video was to demonstrate that a trained dog could be a more reliable form of protection than a firearm.
In the scenario Wayne George Curry was trying to illustrate, the dog would remain unfazed by gunfire and respond to the command to attack a simulated assailant wearing protective gear.
Curry orchestrated the scene with meticulous planning. Three other employees were involved in the project. Two were tasked with filming the event, while the third was responsible for capturing still photos. Curtice Gordon, the victim, had been assigned a very specific role — he was asked to agitate the dog by cracking a whip to create noise and by wearing a bite sleeve to simulate a threat.
Gordon was standing approximately 30 feet to the left of the target that Wayne George Curry was aiming at with a rifle. During the demonstration, Curry fired a total of 10 shots toward the target while holding the dog. His plan was to show that the dog would not be startled by the gunfire and would still perform its duties as trained. After shooting at the target, Curry released the dog to attack the “assailant,” thereby completing the scene.
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However, the situation quickly spiraled into tragedy. According to witness statements and police reports, after one of the rifle shots, the dog — previously in a down position — stood up abruptly and jerked Curry’s body as he continued to hold the firearm. This sudden motion, combined with the presence of a loaded weapon, led to an unintended discharge. The bullet struck Gordon near his nose, causing a catastrophic injury.
Those present reported hearing a groan followed by Gordon collapsing to the ground. Immediate efforts were made to assist him, and emergency services were contacted. But the injury proved fatal, and Gordon was declared dead just minutes after officers and paramedics arrived.
Legal and Emotional Aftermath
Wayne George Curry was taken into custody shortly after the incident and appeared in Thurston County Court the following day. Judge Allyson Zipp found probable cause to charge him with one count of first-degree manslaughter. The court heard that Curry had not acted with intent to harm, but the recklessness of his actions in handling a loaded weapon during an active training demonstration was sufficient to warrant criminal charges. His bail was set at $250,000.
Court records reveal that dispatchers could hear background commotion and screaming during the 911 call, including someone exclaiming that “someone had accidentally shot themselves.” This chaos, combined with the statements of the other employees involved, painted a picture of an avoidable accident that occurred due to a combination of poor judgment and unsafe gun handling.
The affidavit released by the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office detailed Wayne George Curry’s intentions with the video and his own words describing the proper sequence of events. He reportedly stated, “You’re supposed to drop the gun when you let the dog go,” acknowledging that handling both the dog and the weapon simultaneously presented risks. Unfortunately, he did not follow his own guidance, and the consequences were irreversible.
Curry was visibly distraught in the aftermath of the shooting. Officers on the scene described him as having multiple anxiety attacks and being overcome with emotion. His behavior made it clear that he did not mean to shoot Gordon, but emotional remorse does not negate the consequences of negligence when firearms are involved.
Community Response and Safety Concerns
The Kraftwerk K9 training center has long been a respected institution in the area, known for its disciplined approach to canine training, especially for protection dogs. The news of a fatal shooting at such a facility has left the local community shaken. Many residents who knew both Curry and Gordon have expressed disbelief that something so devastating could happen under such controlled circumstances.
The incident has sparked broader discussions about gun safety, especially in environments where firearms are not the primary focus but are still used for demonstration or training purposes. Experts have weighed in, emphasizing that handling loaded weapons — particularly during high-energy scenarios involving animals — requires the strictest adherence to safety protocols. The failure to unload the weapon or ensure that all participants were at a safe distance turned what was intended to be a promotional demonstration into a tragedy.
Curtice Gordon’s death has also drawn attention to workplace safety in specialized fields like canine training. His role, while not involving direct interaction with the firearm, still placed him in close proximity to the action. Advocates are calling for stricter regulations and training requirements for businesses that use firearms in any capacity, including for demonstration videos or simulated exercises.
In the meantime, Curry remains in legal limbo as the case moves through the court system. Prosecutors will need to prove that his actions rose to the level of first-degree manslaughter, a charge that suggests not intentional murder but a high degree of recklessness and disregard for the safety of others.
Gordon’s family and friends are left to mourn a young life cut short under deeply preventable circumstances. Tributes have poured in from colleagues and clients who remembered him as a passionate and dedicated young man who loved working with dogs and was excited about his future at Kraftwerk K9.
While the investigation continues, authorities have not announced whether additional safety violations may result in further penalties for the business itself. OSHA or other regulatory bodies may eventually get involved, depending on the findings of the law enforcement investigation.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder that even in well-controlled environments, the handling of firearms must be approached with the utmost seriousness and care. What was meant to be a showcase of safety and protection ended in an avoidable loss, a grim lesson for all who work in similar fields.
As the case progresses, many will be watching closely not only for justice in Gordon’s death but also for signs that industries involving firearms and live demonstrations will take more stringent steps to prevent such accidents in the future.