Utah’s Riverton (KSL.com) Police say an 18-year-old stepson was shot and killed by a military-experienced Riverton stepfather who was attempting to teach his daughter gun safety.
Riverton Police Chief Shane Taylor said that 46-year-old Joseph Le Page Lee was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon in connection with a manslaughter investigation.
His relatives recognized the victim as Haven McBride on Wednesday.
Haven Young Alexander McBride was a good-hearted and diligent man. He was a lively, active youngster who kept you alert at all times. Because of the decisions made by the grownups in his life, he has surmounted numerous obstacles. Just last week, he received his Mountain Ridge High School diploma with honors. He was interested in pursuing a career in forensics. A mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was something he was getting ready to serve. Our hearts are broken, and we love Haven! According to a statement from McBride’s family.
The event took place at approximately 3:15 p.m. The chief stated this on Tuesday while Lee was displaying his Glock firearms to relatives.
According to a 43-year-old woman, her husband—later revealed to be Joseph Lee—had just shot her 18-year-old son. A police booking affidavit stated that the firearm discharge had been an unintentional one.
Shortly after, McBride passed away at a nearby hospital.
Taylor claimed that as he was demonstrating the firearm to his relatives, it exploded because there was a cartridge in the chamber. The number of additional people at the residence, located at 13885 S. Kesler Peake Drive, at the time of the shooting was also not immediately known.
According to Taylor, McBride was shot in the head while seated with other family members on a couch in the living area. On the other side of him was the stepfather.
Lee admitted to having two Glock handguns on him while instructing his daughter on how to handle and use them when he was questioned by police. Investigators were informed by Joseph that he had been demonstrating to his daughter which of the two firearms he believed to be a dummy gun. According to the affidavit, Joseph claimed that the handgun they planned to use for training was what he thought of as a dummy gun, even though it was fully functional and capable of firing live ammunition.
Joseph clarified that after making sure the dummy gun was secure, he put it on his right side. Joseph claimed that he must have reached for the real gun, which was then loaded with live bullets, while instructing his daughter. It says he fired the trigger after racking the slide.
According to the chief, investigators executed a search warrant on Wednesday in an attempt to gather more information about the incident by obtaining footage from a home security camera. After the footage was acquired, Lee was taken into custody.
As he explained, Joseph was seen on camera sitting on the ground. The couch is barely a few feet in front of Joseph, and the victim has gotten up from it.
The victim seems to be focusing on the pistol that Joseph was holding. The victim’s head is facing Joseph and the upper half of his body is hunched slightly over his legs as he attempts to settle back down on the couch. According to the affidavit, Joseph is observed racking the slide, and when the handgun fires a single round, it is close to his legs and stomach.
According to Utah law, if someone kills another person out of recklessness, that person has committed manslaughter. In their affidavit, police also mentioned Lee’s military experience.
In his interrogation, Joseph claimed to have been a Green Beret in the US Army, which indicates that he had substantial instruction in the proper handling and use of firearms, according to authorities.
Lee ought to have understood to handle each weapon as though it were loaded as a result. According to the affidavit, handle each weapon carefully and never aim the barrel at anything you don’t plan to shoot.
According to the arrest officer’s affidavit, “I think that given the entirety of the circumstances, there is probable cause to believe that Joseph, despite his training and experience, handled his firearm in a reckless manner which obviously caused the death of another.”
Several people, including Riverton Councilman Andy Pierucci, posted condolence messages to the family on social media.
He wrote on Facebook, “Please join me in praying for peace for the family & friends impacted by the tragic shooting.” Our people are good, which is why our community is fantastic. During difficult times, our city does what it does best: come together to support one another. I’m determined to be a builder, and I encourage everyone to do more to show kindness and love to those around them. Life is valuable.
