Son who plays video games 60 hours a week becomes ‘fed up’ with mom during fight about ‘entitlement’ to the house so he pulls assault rifle on her
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — An Arizona man allegedly pulled an assault rifle on his mother during a dispute over what he claimed was his “entitlement” to part of their home. Prosecutors said the gun did not fire when he pulled the trigger, and they noted that his behavior may have been influenced by playing the video game Total War for 50 to 60 hours a week.
Beau Lieurance, 28, appeared in court Monday facing charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a weapon during the commission of a felony, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.
“I finally became fed up,” Lieurance reportedly said in court, according to local Fox affiliate KSAZ. “It was my part of the house which I haven’t gained entitlement to over the last seven years.”
The Scottsdale man is accused of aiming the assault rifle at his mother and an elderly guest in the home. Prosecutors indicated that mental health issues and Lieurance’s extensive gaming may have contributed to the incident.
“There are allegations that he currently plays a video game titled Total War approximately 50 to 60 hours per week,” a Maricopa County prosecutor told the court. “Concerns exist regarding the people he plays with, possibly in North Africa, who may have ties to Islamic extremists.”
Lieurance denied the allegations, calling them false and claiming he is the victim. “It was very obvious to any neighbor you could ask that it was an intimidation for three to four days,” he said. He also alleged that some of his drinks may have been tampered with.
The prosecutor said Lieurance admitted to police that he had “secret apps on his phone” used to communicate with other Total War players, a claim Lieurance denied.
Total War is a strategy video game series that combines turn-based empire building with real-time battles.
Lieurance was being held on a $100,000 cash bond and was ordered to stay away from his mother and the family home.
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