The Chronicle

     PATEROS - A 50-year-old local man is in the Okanogan County Jail today after allegedly shooting his son in the stomach during an argument at their home late Tuesday.
     Derik R. Darlington, was booked into the Okanogan County Jail on suspicion of first-degree assault, Sheriff Frank Rogers said. His 22-year-old son, Weldon A. Darlington, was listed in stable condition Wednesday at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee after undergoing surgery for stomach and arm wounds caused by a single gunshot.
     Deputies were dispatched to 180 Ives St. at 6:40 p.m. after receiving a report that a verbal argument had turned physical, Rogers said. The two men apparently separated, but Derik Darlington allegedly pulled out a .44-caliber handgun.
     Weldon Darlington allegedly told his father to go ahead and shoot him, which he did, Rogers said. The younger man was hit in the stomach, with the bullet exiting through his side and then out his arm.
     "Weldon Darlington then walked to his grandparents' house and called 911 to report the shooting," Rogers said.
     He was driven to Three Rivers Hospital in Brewster by an unknown person and dropped off, Rogers said. He was transferred to the Wenatchee hospital and underwent surgery.
     "Family members at the hospital told us he would survive," he said.
     Derik Darlington was contacted at the residence and arrested without incident, Rogers said.