A 14-year-old Wyoming boy has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his mother during an argument over a tablet he had stolen, authorities said.
Background
Havoc Leone is accused of killing 41-year-old Theresa McIntosh at their home in Cheyenne on Saturday. The incident was initially reported as a possible suicide, according to court documents obtained by the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
Leone's father told investigators it would be easier to accept that McIntosh killed herself than that their son tried to kill her. However, detectives soon pieced together the events that led to the fatal shooting.
First responders arrived at the home shortly before 1 p.m. on Saturday and found McIntosh unconscious but still breathing with a gunshot wound to the back of the head. She was transported to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center and then airlifted to UC Health in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she died later that day.
The investigation revealed that Leone had stolen a tablet from a client of McIntosh's house cleaning business. During an argument over the theft, McIntosh allegedly called him "retarded" and "thief," which made him angry, according to his statements to investigators.
The father told deputies this was not the first time they had encountered issues with Leone stealing devices. The family confirmed that McIntosh had received mental health care from a therapist and had medication, though the father said he was not aware of any recent suicidal thoughts.
The Investigation
Investigators from the Laramie County Sheriff's Office determined that Leone had previously stolen a handgun from his mother's car and hidden it in his closet. He told investigators he had thought about killing his mother frequently, especially when she asked him to do things he didn't want to do.
At about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, the father went to the basement to play video games while Leone was supposed to be finishing homework. A few minutes later, he heard a "pop" but thought it was a balloon because he was wearing headphones.
When the father went upstairs, he found Leone standing on the landing. When asked what happened, Leone said, "I don't know, it just went off."
The father ran downstairs to get his phone to call 911. When he returned, he saw McIntosh's gun lying near her and was confused since the weapon usually remained in her car.
Leone initially told deputies that his mother handed him the handgun, but later admitted he had stolen it and had hidden it in his closet. He told investigators he hated his mother and couldn't tell her how much he hated her because she doesn't understand him.
According to the investigation, during the argument over the stolen tablet, McIntosh demanded the tablet's password, which was written in a notebook. Leone retrieved the notebook from a closet — and also retrieved the handgun he had stolen. When McIntosh bent down to pick up the notebook, he shot her in the back of the head.
The father told deputies that Leone knows how to handle guns and specifically "knows not to point a firearm at someone unless he plans to shoot and kill them."
Key Takeaways
- Havoc Leone, 14, charged as adult with first-degree murder in death of his mother Theresa McIntosh, 41
- Shooting occurred during argument over tablet Leone had stolen from client of mother's house cleaning business
- McIntosh was shot in back of head while bending down to pick up notebook containing tablet password
- Leone had previously stolen handgun from mother's car and hidden it in his closet
- Initial investigation explored possibility of suicide before evidence revealed actual circumstances
- McIntosh died at UC Health in Fort Collins, Colorado after being airlifted from Cheyenne Regional Medical Center
- Leone is being held on $500,000 bond
What's Next
Leone is currently in custody pending his next court appearance. The case will proceed through the adult criminal justice system due to the severity of the charges. Prosecutors will need to prove first-degree murder, which in Wyoming requires demonstrating premeditation and intent to kill.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence and prepare the case for trial. Further details may emerge as more court documents are released and witnesses are interviewed.
The family has indicated that mental health services had been involved in McIntosh's care, which may become relevant during proceedings as the defense explores potential mitigating factors for the juvenile defendant.