A tragic case from Wyoming has shocked the local community after a teenage boy was accused of killing his own mother. Authorities say the 14-year-old used his mother’s gun to shoot her during an argument at their home. The case has gained widespread attention because the teenager will now face charges as an adult.
Teen Charged as Adult in Wyoming Shooting
A 14-year-old boy from Cheyenne, Wyoming, will be charged as an adult after police say he shot and killed his mother.
According to the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened on the afternoon of March 7 at a home in Cheyenne. Deputies responded to an emergency call and found 41-year-old Theresa McIntosh suffering from a gunshot wound to the back of her head.
McIntosh was still breathing but unconscious when authorities arrived. She was immediately airlifted to a hospital in Colorado for emergency treatment.
Sadly, she died from her injuries the following day on March 8.
Teen Initially Claimed It Was Suicide
When officers first arrived at the scene, the teenager allegedly told deputies that his mother had taken her own life.
However, police say he later changed his story during questioning. Authorities soon took the juvenile into custody at the home.
The teenager has since been identified as 14-year-old Havoc Leone.
Investigators later said the boy admitted to shooting his mother while she was inside the house.
Details From Police Investigation
According to court documents, the shooting happened while McIntosh was on the floor working on a puzzle.
Leone allegedly told investigators that he fired a single shot into the back of his mother’s head.
Police said the teen admitted he was angry before the shooting and claimed he felt that his mother did not understand him.
Investigators also reported that Leone said he often thought about harming his mother when she forced him to do things he did not want to do.
Argument Over School Grades
Court documents reveal that tensions had been building in the household before the shooting.
About a week earlier, Leone and his mother reportedly had a serious argument after he received a D grade in math.
Following that dispute, investigators say Leone secretly took his mother’s Taurus 9mm handgun from her vehicle and hid it in a boot inside his bedroom.
Police believe he kept the weapon hidden until the day of the fatal incident.
Events Leading Up to the Shooting
On the day of the shooting, another argument reportedly took place.
McIntosh and her common-law husband, who is also Leone’s father, confronted the teenager after suspecting him of stealing a tablet from one of McIntosh’s cleaning clients.
According to investigators, McIntosh called Leone a “thief” during the argument and demanded that he provide the password for the tablet.
The password was written in a notebook in his bedroom.
When Leone went to retrieve the notebook, police say he also grabbed the hidden handgun.
Moments Before the Fatal Shot
Authorities say Leone returned to the room where his mother was working on the puzzle.
According to investigators, he threw the notebook toward her while she was on the floor.
Police said McIntosh continued yelling at him as she leaned down to pick up the notebook or tablet.
While she was turned away from him, Leone allegedly aimed the gun with both hands and fired a single shot into the back of her head.
Father Heard Gunshot From Basement
At the time of the shooting, Leone’s father was in the basement playing video games while wearing noise-canceling headphones.
He later told police that he heard a popping sound and went upstairs to investigate.
When he entered the bedroom, he saw his son standing nearby.
According to investigators, Leone allegedly told him, “I don’t know, it just went off.”
The father immediately called 911 and attempted to help McIntosh.
Father Tried to Save His Wife
While waiting for emergency responders, Leone’s father tried to provide first aid.
Police said he found McIntosh unresponsive with severe injuries to her head.
He placed a towel over the wound and noticed that the gun was lying on the floor nearby.
According to investigators, he was surprised to see the firearm because he believed it was kept in McIntosh’s vehicle.
During questioning, the father admitted he feared his son may have been responsible but struggled to accept the possibility.
He reportedly told investigators it would have been easier to believe his wife had taken her own life than to think his son had tried to kill her.
