Tooele, Utah — Even as new details emerge about how a 9-year-old Tooele boy was arrested after the shooting death of his father, questions remain about the incident and what led to it and what can be learned. remains.
According to the search warrant, the victim and her son went to bed early in the same room “due to behavioral issues.” It also cited comments from other people who lived in the home who claimed the boy spent much of his time playing video games, including one that incorporated the same gun and hatchet that were found and used in the assault. did.
“Age is a huge concern,” licensed psychologist Dr. Douglas Goldsmith told FOX 13 News. “Unfortunately, more and more young children are acquiring weapons.”
Goldsmith said psychologists have long been concerned about the level of aggressive behavior that video games encourage.
“We're concerned about what he's been exposed to through video games and social media,” added Pam Vickrey, executive director of the Utah Juvenile Defenders' Office.
Ms. Vickrey shared her thoughts on how the legal process unfolds after a juvenile is arrested.
“The youth's attorney will file a motion for competency and appoint an evaluator to look at it and determine whether it is competent. You will have to decide whether or not it will happen.'' ,” she said.
Utah law does not allow people as young as children to be tried as adults, and the state has not previously allowed anyone under 14 to be transferred to the adult system.
According to search warrants, detectives are currently searching for any equipment the boy may have used to determine how and why these specific methods and weapons were used in this murder. The content and information may be present on the device.
