In a shocking and tragic turn of events, a 15-year-old Ohio boy has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting and killing a man accused of physically assaulting his mother. The deadly encounter unfolded in Cincinnati on February 20, just moments after the victim, 30-year-old Levonte Hyde, reportedly punched the teen’s mother multiple times in the face.
According to police reports, officers responded to Pasadena Avenue around 12:30 a.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found Hyde suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities swiftly launched an investigation, and later that same day, the teen—one of the woman’s sons—was arrested and charged with murder.
Court records reveal that earlier that night, Hyde and the teen’s mother were in a car heading to a store when he allegedly attacked her, striking her repeatedly. The assault left the woman with visible injuries, leading to an arrest warrant for Hyde on misdemeanor domestic violence charges. Police also requested a temporary protection order for the woman.
However, roughly 30 minutes after the violent altercation, tragedy struck. Prosecutors allege that the teen had time to retrieve a firearm from a safe, wait for Hyde to arrive, and then fire 12 rounds at him, ultimately leading to his death.
The teen appeared in Hamilton County Juvenile Court on February 21, where prosecutors detailed the chilling sequence of events. Assistant prosecutor Tatyana Reintjes argued that the suspect had ample time to plan the attack, making the case more than just an impulsive act of rage.
For now, the teen remains in detention or shelter care as he awaits his next court hearing on March 3.
This heartbreaking case raises questions about justice, self-defense, and the devastating impact of domestic violence. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community remains divided over whether the teen’s actions were an act of vengeance or a desperate attempt to protect his mother.
