Man mocks victim for his face deformity then fatally shoots him, police say

A 22-year-old Idaho man was being mocked for a facial deformity when he stood up to the man bullying him.

It ended with the victim being shot to death, police said.

According to authorities, 31-year-old Jed Daniel Earls was mocking the appearance of 22-year-old James “Matt” Cuellar, who was born with a facial deformity, at a gathering at a home in Boise, Idaho.

According to the victim’s sister, Cuellar stood up for himself and told Earls to leave him alone, KTVB reported.

However, that is when Earls pulled a gun out and shot Cuellar in the chest.

Cuellar was taken to the hospital in critical condition, police say. On Jan. 21, he died from his injuries.

Earls was originally charged with aggravated battery, but his charges were upgraded to second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony after Cuellar died, officials said.

He was booked into the Ada County Jail.