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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ex-girlfriend slain

Police say man killed woman, turned shotgun on himself

Thurston County sheriff’s Deputy Mark Holden investigates the scene of an apparent murder and attempted suicide south of Olympia on Thursday.  (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
From Wire Reports

OLYMPIA – The Thurston County sheriff’s office said a man walked into a farm market near Olympia and killed his ex-girlfriend who worked there before turning the shotgun on himself.

Deputy Dave Pearsall said the woman died at the scene Thursday morning at Lattin’s Country Cider Mill and Farm.

The victim was identified as 43-year-old Kay Langford.

Business owner Carolyn Lattin says Langford had stopped seeing the man about two months ago. Lattin said she tried to grab the man’s arm and clothing to give Langford time to get away but he was too strong.

“What a sad thing for a person to do to another human being,” Lattin said. “She was shot right there by my feet. I tried to stop him. I just couldn’t hold onto him, and he just got away.”

Lattin, 77, said she was not afraid.

“I’m old; what difference does it make if I’m here?” she said.

The man was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.