Insets: Beau Lieurance (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office/KSAZ/YouTube). Background: The Arizona home where Beau Lieurance allegedly pulled a gun on his mom and another person (KSAZ/YouTube).
In a startling incident from Arizona, a man named Beau Lieurance is facing serious allegations after reportedly confronting his mother with an assault rifle over a dispute regarding his perceived “entitlement” to part of their shared home. The troubling altercation escalated when Lieurance allegedly aimed the firearm at his mother and attempted to fire, only for the weapon to malfunction. Prosecutors are suggesting that his behavior may have been influenced by a video game obsession, particularly with the game “Total War,” which he reportedly plays for 50 to 60 hours weekly.
During a court appearance addressing charges that include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, Lieurance, 28, expressed his frustration by stating, “I finally became fed up.” His comments in court were captured by local news and suggest a longstanding grievance over not having gained what he believed to be his rightful portion of the home for the past seven years.
The incident, which occurred in Scottsdale, involved not only his mother but also an elderly man who was present at the residence. As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about whether Lieurance was aware that the gun would not discharge. Prosecutors have highlighted potential mental health concerns and the significant amount of time he dedicates to gaming as factors that may have contributed to the incident.
In court, a Maricopa County prosecutor raised additional concerns, mentioning that Lieurance engages with individuals in his gaming community who might have connections to Islamic extremists, with some players reportedly based in North Africa. This detail adds another layer to the already complex case.
Despite the severity of the charges, Lieurance maintains his innocence, claiming that he is the one being falsely accused and asserting that the charges against him are “completely false.”
Lieurance told the court that the charges and accusations against him are “completely false” and that it is he who is actually the victim.
“It was very obvious to any neighbor you could ask of that it was an intimidation for three to four days,” Lieurance said. “I believe that certain liquids was laced in some of my drinks.”
The prosecutor who spoke to the court said that Lieurance admitted to cops that he has “secret apps on his phone that he uses to communicate with individuals that he is playing Total War with.” Lieurance’s reply: “That’s completely false.”
Total War is a strategy video game series that has multiple titles and genres which feature an “exhilarating mix of turn-based empire building and colossal real-time battles.”
Lieurance was being held on a cash bond of $100,000 on Monday and was ordered to stay away from his mother and their home.
