A 15-year-old Ohio boy is facing murder charges after allegedly shooting his mother’s boyfriend 12 times in what authorities believe was a premeditated act following an incident of domestic violence.
Police in Cincinnati responded to a shooting in a residential area and found 30-year-old Levonte Hyde suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities arrested the teenager at the scene and charged him with murder. According to reports, the shooting occurred after Hyde allegedly called the teen’s mother a derogatory name and physically attacked her. Hyde had also been accused of assaulting the woman earlier in the day while they were in a car together.
Court records indicate that Hyde had a past marked by violence. In 2017, he was charged with assault and criminal damaging, with the teen’s mother as the victim. The following year, he was convicted on a lesser charge and ordered by a court to stay away from her. Despite this, their relationship continued, leading to the tragic events of that day.
On the day of the shooting, Hyde was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence, but before law enforcement could arrest him, the teen allegedly took matters into his own hands.
During a recent court appearance, prosecutors argued that the teen’s actions were planned.
“He had time to find a firearm, open a safe, retrieve that firearm, and wait for the victim to arrive,” said Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Tatyana Reintjes. “Ultimately, he fired 12 shots, causing the victim’s death.”
The teen has denied the charges and is set to appear in court again on March 3. His mother, who reportedly called 911 after witnessing the shooting, shares two children with Hyde, though the teenager is not his biological son.
The case has sparked debate over self-defense, domestic violence, and the consequences of vigilante justice. As the legal process unfolds, many are left questioning whether the teenager acted out of desperation or intent.
