A tragic family dispute in Wyoming has led to a shocking criminal case after a 14-year-old boy was accused of fatally shooting his mother inside their home following an argument.

Authorities say the teen, identified as Havoc Leone, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his 41-year-old mother, Theresa McIntosh. The shooting happened March 7 at the family’s home in Cheyenne and initially appeared to investigators as a possible suicide before new evidence changed the direction of the case.

According to details reported by the New York Post and local outlets citing court documents, police later determined the circumstances surrounding the fatal gunshot were inconsistent with a self-inflicted wound. Medical personnel also raised concerns after examining the injury, prompting investigators to take a closer look at what happened inside the home.

During the investigation, authorities say Leone eventually admitted he shot his mother following a heated argument.

Court records indicate the dispute began after McIntosh confronted her son about a tablet that had allegedly been taken from one of her clients. The argument escalated as the two continued arguing about the device and its password.

At one point, McIntosh reportedly asked her son to finish his homework while she remained in his bedroom working on a puzzle. Investigators say the argument continued there, with tensions rising between the two.

According to the teen’s statements to police, the confrontation intensified when his mother demanded access to the tablet. He reportedly threw a notebook containing the password toward her during the argument.

When McIntosh bent down to retrieve the notebook, prosecutors say the teen retrieved a firearm from his room and shot her in the back of the head.

Leone’s father was reportedly downstairs at the time playing video games while wearing noise-canceling headphones. He later told investigators he heard what sounded like a popping noise but assumed it was something minor, like a balloon popping.

It wasn’t until later that he realized something was terribly wrong.

After coming upstairs and seeing the situation unfold, the father attempted to provide first aid before calling 911. McIntosh was rushed to a nearby medical center and later airlifted to a hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, but she ultimately died from her injuries.

Investigators also found a handgun near McIntosh’s body. Court documents indicate the weapon typically remained in her vehicle and was not usually kept inside the house with a round chambered.

Authorities say Leone initially gave inconsistent explanations before eventually telling investigators he had taken the gun after an argument with his mother.

The case has drawn attention because of the teen’s age and the serious charge he now faces. Prosecutors say Leone will be tried as an adult in the case.

A judge has set bond at $500,000 as the investigation continues.

For the victim’s family, the tragedy has left unimaginable grief. According to court records, the teen’s father told investigators he struggled to process what may have happened in his own home—saying it would be easier to believe his wife had taken her own life than to accept the possibility that their son was responsible.