Police: Teen Who Killed Stepfather Never Meant to Shoot Him

An Idaho teenager accused of fatally shooting his stepfather allegedly told his girlfriend he wanted to “make him jump.”

Michael Dudley, 19, faces charges of first-degree murder and burglary in the shooting death of his 47-year-old stepfather, Howard Schofield IV. According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by local news outlet EastIdahoNews.com, Dudley went to his mother’s home in New Plymouth, Idaho, on Sept. 18 to retrieve some belongings. His mother lived there with Schofield. Dudley reportedly told investigators that he and his girlfriend had paid Schofield more than $2,000 to renovate their trailer, which lacked a working bathroom.

The affidavit states that Schofield did not complete the renovations. Dudley allegedly decided to take some of Schofield’s personal belongings as compensation, prompting Schofield to accuse him of stealing and become “mad and argumentative,” according to police records.

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The confrontation then turned physical. Dudley told police that Schofield began hitting him. According to the affidavit, Dudley had a gun in the pocket of his sweatshirt, and Schofield allegedly grabbed the weapon. The gun discharged, striking Schofield in the chest.

Schofield was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said Dudley claimed he “never pulled the trigger” and “never intended on shooting” his stepfather, maintaining that he acted in self-defense.

Dudley’s girlfriend told police she did not witness the shooting but heard him say, “[D]on’t you hit me” and “[G]et the f— off of me.” She also reportedly told investigators that before they went to the home, Dudley said he wanted to shoot Schofield in the foot “to make him jump and work.”

Dudley remains jailed at the Payette County Jail on $1 million bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 19.