Haunting last words of man 'killed by his own dad' while protecting his fiancee

A mother mourning the loss of her son who was shot dead allegedly by his own father, has told of his haunting last words before gunshots rang out.  

Kevin Ward, a young man from Missouri, tragically lost his life on Christmas Eve. It is believed that his father, Harold Luster, aged 61, was responsible for his death following a heated argument within the family.

Kevin, from High Ridge near St. Louis, had been visiting his father’s home when things suddenly turned violent.

Harold Luster, known to have a history of mental and physical abuse by his ex-wife Katherine, was in a dispute with another family member. The argument escalated as he expressed suspicion about his ex-partner being unfaithful.

Luster believed Kevin’s pregnant fiancée, Kaitlyn, knew something and was holding back information. 

During the altercation, Kevin attempted to intervene and pacify his father. However, the situation quickly turned violent as Harold retrieved a gun, initially targeting a vehicle before directing his aggression towards his son.

Overhearing the commotion on the phone was his mother, Katherine, who had been called by Luster. 

She could clear hear her son’s emotive final words before he was shot and killed: ‘Dad, why are you doing this? I don’t deserve this,’ Kevin pleaded. 

Kevin Ward, a 26-year-old man from Missouri, was allegedly killed by his father while protecting his pregnant fiancée, Kaitlyn, pictured

Kevin Ward, a 26-year-old man from Missouri, was allegedly killed by his father while protecting his pregnant fiancée, Kaitlyn, pictured

Kevin's mother, Katherine, has been left distraught after her son was shot and killed

Kevin’s mother, Katherine, has been left distraught after her son was shot and killed

Kevin Ward's father, 61-year-old Harold Luster, is alleged to have shot his son dead on Christmas Eve after a family argument boiled over into violence

Kevin Ward’s father, 61-year-old Harold Luster, is alleged to have shot his son dead on Christmas Eve after a family argument boiled over into violence

Moments later, Kevin was dead having been shot in the forehead with his hands tucked into his pockets. 

‘Kevin sacrificed himself; he was the hero that night,’ Katherine said to KSDK, recounting how her son died while shielding Kaitlyn and their unborn baby from danger.

‘Kevin died protecting the love of his life and their unborn child,’ Katherine said tearfully sharing her disbelief at her son’s untimely death. ‘He would rather die than have her and that baby taken.’

‘My son was the best. He was a great kid that didn’t deserve that night and I wish 1,000 times he never went down there. But me and him never would have thought this would ever happen.

‘It’s almost like I’m in a nightmare and I can’t get out,’ she said. ‘I always thought it was going to be me, not my son.’ 

Now, she wants justice for Kevin: ‘My son cannot breathe, my son cannot walk, my son cannot see. Why should [Luster] get the pleasure of sitting in a jail cell? I want him to suffer every day at that memory.’

Luster has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and armed criminal action. 

He remains in custody without bond, with a court date set for January 3.

Kevin, from High Ridge near St. Louis, had been visiting his father's home when things suddenly turned violent

Kevin, from High Ridge near St. Louis, had been visiting his father’s home when things suddenly turned violent

Mom, Katherine, overheard the commotion on the phone who had been called by Luster

Mom, Katherine, overheard the commotion on the phone who had been called by Luster

A balloon release was held as family members and friends paid tribute to Kevin

A balloon release was held as family members and friends paid tribute to Kevin

It's believed Kevin was shot because his father believed his pregnant fiancée, Kaitlyn, knew something and was holding back information

It’s believed Kevin was shot because his father believed his pregnant fiancée, Kaitlyn, knew something and was holding back information

Kevin, who was the oldest of four brothers, worked for the Missouri Department of Transportation and was remembered by loved ones as a man with ‘big dreams ahead.’ 

A vigil held in his honor drew dozens of mourners, including his former assistant principal, who described him as ‘a man who was truly building a life for himself.’

A GoFundMe has been set up to provide support to the family.  

During a balloon release paying tribute to her son, Kevin’s mother shared a simple message about her son: ‘Kevin was a special person. He didn’t deserve this. He was my hero.’

You May Also Like
Leading Canadian conservative says Ottawa should remove all tariffs as 'Liberation Day' arrives

A prominent Canadian conservative suggests that Ottawa eliminate all tariffs as a way to celebrate ‘Liberation Day’.

In anticipation of President Donald Trump’s planned reciprocal tariffs labeled as “Liberation…
You Need to See the Powerful New VP Vance Video That Could Recruit the Next Generation of Warfighters

JD Vance Speaks Out on Deportations – Taking Action Based on the People’s Will

J.D. Vance, the Vice President, criticized the backlash against the government’s management…
Rubio arrives in Brussels for NATO talks amid unease over Trump’s agenda

Rubio Visits Brussels for NATO Discussions as Concerns Grow over Trump’s Plans

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the U.S. ambassador to NATO, Matthew…
Lithuanians bid farewell to 4 US soldiers who died during training exercise

Lithuanians pay their respects to 4 US soldiers who lost their lives during a training exercise

VILNIUS, Lithuania — Thousands of people in Lithuania, including political and religious…
Alleged MS-13 gang leader linked to nearly a dozen murders, on the run for years nabbed in Long Island: DOJ

Suspected MS-13 Gang Leader Tied to Multiple Murders, Captured in Long Island After Years on the Run, According to DOJ

The Justice Department revealed on Wednesday that a high-ranking member of the…
Ex-Duke football murder suspect keeps returning home after arrests thanks to soft-on-crime judges: police rep

Former Duke football player repeatedly arrested and released due to lenient judges, says police representative

An ex-Duke University football player is said to have admitted to killing…
Cubs opening day: Wrigleyville community preparing for Chicago Cubs home opener baseball game at Wrigley Field

“Wrigleyville Gears Up for Chicago Cubs’ Home Opener at Wrigley Field”

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Cubs finally have their home opener Friday…
2 Jewish students file lawsuit against Chicago's DePaul University for negligence after Lincoln Park campus attack

Lawsuit Filed by 2 Jewish Students Against DePaul University for Negligence Following Attack on Lincoln Park Campus

CHICAGO (WLS) — Max Long and Michael Kaminsky were blindsided in an…
The five lines in Trump's tariffs that spell the end of cheap fast fashion... and will further devastate malls

Five trade policies introduced by Trump that will bring an end to affordable quick fashion and cause more harm to shopping malls

The golden age of bargain clothing shopping is coming to a screeching…
Liberation Day: Trump Was Right About Everything, and That Is What the So-Called Experts Resent the Most

Trump’s Accuracy on Liberation Day is What Experts Dislike the Most

President Donald Trump recently declared “Liberation Day” for America in the White…
Phineas and Ferb are making a return to Disney Channel with a brand new season

“Phineas and Ferb Returning to Disney Channel with Exciting New Season”

Mom! Phineas and Ferb are making a return to Disney Channel with…
Trump fires staff of 'idiot' adviser embroiled in Signal scandal after urging by controversial MAGA influencer

Trump dismisses team of ‘foolish’ advisor linked to Signal controversy following recommendation from a polarizing MAGA figure

President Donald Trump has fired several members of his National Security Council team.…