Beau Lieurance told a judge he had finally reached his breaking point, but it was his mother who faced the barrel of an assault rifle during their violent confrontation at their Arizona home.
Background
The dispute between Lieurance and his mother centered on what he believed was his rightful claim to "part of the house." According to court documents and reporting by KSAZ, the 28-year-old had been living in the home for seven years without gaining what he described as proper entitlement to a portion of the property. The argument escalated dramatically when Lieurance allegedly produced an assault rifle and pointed it at his mother before pulling the trigger—though the weapon did not fire.
Prosecutors revealed during court proceedings that Lieurance's behavior may have been influenced by his intense engagement with the "Total War" video game series, which he played approximately 50 to 60 hours per week. A Maricopa County prosecutor told a February hearing that investigators had concerns about some individuals Lieurance played the game with, noting they were possibly based in North Africa and had alleged ties to Islamic extremists.
"It was my part of the house which I haven't gained entitlement to over the last seven years," Lieurance reportedly said during his court appearance earlier this year. "I finally became fed up."
The Charges
Lieurance was originally arrested on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a weapon during the commission of a felony, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. He accepted a plea agreement in late July and pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Under the terms of his sentence handed down last week, Lieurance will serve 12 months in county jail followed by four years of supervised probation. In addition to incarceration, he was ordered to pay restitution for all economic losses suffered by victims. His probation conditions mandate domestic violence counseling, a mental health evaluation, and any recommended treatment.
"Defendant shall be eligible for early release directly into an inpatient mental health facility that is previously approved by adult probation and the court," according to the sentencing order. "If defendant fails to do so, he shall immediately return to jail to serve out whatever the remaining portion of his jail term is that he has yet to serve."
Lieurance must also have no contact with his mother and cannot return to her home without written approval from his probation officer.
During proceedings, Lieurance maintained that the charges were "completely false" and claimed he was actually the victim in the situation. He alleged that certain liquids may have been laced in some of his drinks during the days leading up to the confrontation.
"It was very obvious to any neighbor you could ask of that it was an intimidation for three to four days," Lieurance told the court, according to KSAZ reporting.
Key Takeaways
- Beau Lieurance, 28, sentenced to 12 months in county jail and 4 years supervised probation after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- The incident occurred during a dispute over his belief that he was entitled to part of the family home where he had lived for seven years
- Lieurance allegedly pointed an assault rifle at both his mother and an elderly man staying at the residence; the weapon did not fire when he pulled the trigger
- Prosecutors cited mental health concerns and his approximately 50-60 hours per week engagement with "Total War" video games as possible contributing factors
- Probation conditions include domestic violence counseling, mental health evaluation, and no contact with his mother
What's Next
Lieurance is scheduled to begin serving his sentence on Aug. 27, according to the sentencing order. He will be eligible for early release into a court-approved inpatient mental health facility if he complies fully with probation requirements. Any violation of his probation conditions could result in immediate return to custody to complete the full 12-month term. The case remains under the jurisdiction of Maricopa County courts.