Leesburg man found dead in house fire was fatally shot by son, Loudoun County police say

LEESBURG, Va. - A man whose body was discovered inside a burning home in Leesburg was fatally shot by his son, according to authorities.

Loudoun County firefighters responded to a house fire on Steed Hill Lane at about 5 p.m. on July 25 and battled the blaze throughout the evening.

Firefighters were able to access what remained of the home after getting the blaze under control the following morning. While searching through the rubble, firefighters found the body of Mario Bowles.

The 53-year-old, who officials said was fatally shot, was positively identified on Monday.

His son, 20-year-old Michael Bowles, was arrested in Fairfax County and charged with first-degree murder, according to authorities.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said its investigation into the homicide was ongoing and being conducted along with the arson investigation by the Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office.