Gaming-Obsessed Son Allegedly Pulls Gun on Mother Over “House Entitlement,” DA Says

A 28-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly pointing an assault rifle at his elderly mother at their home. Beau Lieurance of Scottsdale, Arizona, has also been accused of pulling the trigger, but the firearm did not go off.

Lieurance reportedly argued with his mother over the ownership of their house. He claimed that his mother denied him a share of the property, which led to an argument between them.

The argument almost turned violent when Lieurance allegedly aimed a gun at his mother and another man who lives at the home. He was later taken into custody and appeared before a judge.

Prosecutors said Lieurance is obsessed with the video game Total War, which they said may have contributed to the alleged violence. According to the prosecutors, Lieurance plays the game 50 to 60 hours per week. They also cited mental illness, including alleged undiagnosed schizophrenia, as a possible factor behind Lieurance’s actions.

Prosecutors also said that Lieurance plays the game with people based in North Africa. They said in court, “He plays that approximately 50 to 60 hours per week. There are concerns with the people that he plays with … that are based, possibly in North Africa.”

Investigators say they found secret apps on Lieurance’s mobile phone that he allegedly used to contact other players. Total War is a strategy-based video game series developed by Creative Assembly that revolves around large-scale wars and empire-building.

Lieurance denied the allegations. He claimed his mother intimidated him and that he was drugged for days before the altercation. He told the judge, “First of all, all the charges that have been placed on that paper are completely false.”

Lieurance added, “I knew that a cousin of mine, I believe, was involved. I believe that certain liquid was laced in some of my drinks. Just a THC liquid, two or three times, and I got angry that they were pretending this wasn't being done.”

Discussing his feud with his mother, Lieurance told the judge, “It was my part of the house which I haven't gained entitlement to over the last seven years.” Prosecutors said they have not determined whether Lieurance knew the firearm would not go off when he pulled the trigger, or whether it malfunctioned.

Lieurance has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is also facing charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and carrying a weapon during the commission of a felony.

The judge initially set bond at $ 50,000, but it was later increased to $100,000. If Lieurance pays the bond and is released, he must stay away from his mother and not return to the home where the incident occurred.