A 72-year-old Arizona woman has been arrested after allegedly shooting her 38-year-old son during a domestic dispute triggered by loud video games, authorities confirmed. On May 17, officers with the Mesa Police Department responded to a reported shooting at a residence in the city, located approximately 20 miles southeast of Phoenix.
Upon arrival, they discovered the victim identified as the son of Hazel Benson suffering from a gunshot wound to the stomach, according to a report from KTAR News. He was transported to a local hospital with injuries that were described as non-life-threatening.
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Details of the incident, as provided by Mesa police to multiple outlets, reveal a troubling confrontation between Benson and her son. According to KSAZ, Benson told officers she became angry because her son was playing video games too loudly. The situation escalated when the son left the home to go for a walk and “calm down,” police said.
When he returned, Benson refused to allow him back into the house, according to KPNX. Authorities said the son then “lunged at her with raised fists,” prompting her to fire the gun. Benson reportedly told officers she wasn’t certain if she had struck her son but reacted by throwing the firearm into a nearby canal before calling 911.
This occurred after her son began “pounding” on the home’s back door, according to police statements reported by KPNX. Following the incident, Benson was arrested and is now facing several charges, including aggravated assault, disorderly conduct with a deadly weapon, and discharging a firearm within city limits, police told KTAR News.
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Law enforcement has not released the identity of the son, who is expected to recover from his injuries. Investigators are continuing to gather details about the confrontation and the events leading up to the shooting. The case has drawn attention both locally and nationally due to the unusual nature of the altercation and the ages of those involved.
It underscores the potential for even minor domestic disputes to spiral into violence when firearms are involved. Benson remains in custody as the investigation continues, and further court proceedings are expected in the coming days.
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