A 14-year-old boy in Cheyenne, Wyoming has been charged in connection with the shooting death of his mother, following a heated argument over an electronic tablet. The tragic incident has raised serious concerns regarding domestic violence, mental health, and family dynamics.
Teen Charged with Murder After Fatal Shooting of His Mother
On March 7, 2026, Theresa McIntosh, 41, was found with a gunshot wound to the back of her head at her home in Cheyenne. Police were called to the scene around 12:50 p.m., where they found McIntosh unconscious but breathing. She was transported to a local hospital and later airlifted to a medical center in Colorado, where she tragically died from her injuries.
Authorities quickly arrested McIntosh’s 14-year-old son, who was present at the scene. The teenager was taken into custody, and a subsequent investigation revealed disturbing details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
The Argument That Led to Tragedy
According to a police affidavit, the argument that led to McIntosh’s death was centered around a tablet the boy had allegedly stolen from one of his mother’s cleaning clients. The teen initially told investigators that his mother had shot herself but later admitted to shooting her during an argument, after she allegedly insulted him and called him names.
The affidavit also revealed that the 14-year-old had previously considered killing his mother, specifically when she forced him to do things he didn’t want to do. He stated that he shot McIntosh while she was in his bedroom, using a gun that his mother usually kept in her car.
History of Conflict and Mental Health Struggles
The teen told authorities that he had taken the gun about a week earlier following a “big fight” over his math grades. He retrieved the weapon from his mother’s car and kept it in his closet.
At the time of the shooting, the boy’s biological father was in the house, playing video games with noise-cancelling headphones on. The father reported hearing a “pop,” which he initially thought was a balloon popping. When he later went upstairs, he found his son standing outside the bedroom, and McIntosh lying on the floor.
The father, who did not initially suspect anything was amiss, called 911 and tried to help McIntosh until emergency responders arrived. He expressed disbelief, stating he didn’t want to think about what had happened, describing it as a “f–cked up thing for a parent to think.”
Mental Health Background
The father also told police that his son had been seeing a counselor and was on medication for mental health issues at the time of the incident. The connection between the teenager’s mental health struggles and the tragic event is an ongoing part of the investigation.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
The 14-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder and will be tried as an adult. If convicted, he faces a life sentence in prison. It is unclear whether the teen currently has legal representation to comment on his behalf.
