A Franklin County father was drunk, had smoked marijuana and had guns and ammunition lying throughout his house the night his 15-year-old son allegedly shot and killed another teen, state police contend.



Trooper Lindsey Trace made those accusations in an affidavit filed this week charging Mark A. Nelson, 52, in connection with the fatal New Year's Eve incident at his townhouse in Greencastle. Nelson is accused of child endangerment, reckless endangerment and corruption of minors.



His son, Taylor A. Nelson, has been charged as an adult with homicide for the killing of the 17-year-old boy.



Arrest papers Trace filed with District Judge Duane Cunningham described Mark Nelson's West Baltimore Street home as a sort of disorganized gun emporium right after the shooting.



"There were numerous long guns and random ammo all through the three-story townhouse," the trooper wrote. "There were long guns under the futon, on beds, against the wall and in an opened safe."



Ammunition was found on the floor, under the sink, in drawers, on counters and in trash cans, Trace said. She said none of it was secured.



"In the room where the homicide occurred there was an open door safe containing numerous long guns and long guns outside the safe," Trace wrote. "There was also a crossbow on the floor."



She said it quickly "became very clear that alcohol and marijuana played a role in" the shooting. Taylor Nelson admitted he had been drinking his father's alcohol, and said his dad knew it, the trooper wrote. Trace said Mark Nelson's blood-alcohol level was tested at 0.123 percent, above the legal limit, and he also tested positive for having marijuana in his system.



A preliminary hearing on the charges against Mark Nelson has been set for March 28. His son is in county prison without bail.



