Police have arrested a 19-year-old man who has been accused of killing his mother after she ordered him to stop smoking cigars in his bedroom.
Authorities were made aware of an incident at Seth Settle's home in Lake Wales, Florida after Settle's 24-year-old brother found their mum, 52, collapsed in the house on Thursday, 28 April.
Responders did not immediately suspect foul play because there is said not to have been any blood found in the home and there were no obvious injuries to the woman's body, but a nurse later found what appeared to be puncture wounds while inspecting her body after she had passed away.
The incident took place shortly after Settle’s father left work, and just after 9.30am he received a call to say his wife had been taken to hospital. By the time he had picked up his daughter from school and returned home, he learned his wife had passed away.
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Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd revealed the woman had been shot in the heart, which caused it to stop immediately and prevent the flow of blood. Settle reportedly fled the scene, but later confessed to investigators he had allegedly shot his mother through the door of his bedroom after she told him to stop smoking cigars in his room and then closed the door.
The 19-year-old claimed he was depressed and had been holding a gun to his own head before his mother entered his bedroom.
He alleged the gun, which is believed to have been illegally purchased, discharged accidentally when he went to lower the weapon, but the sheriff said authorities believe Settle shot his mother out of anger.
According to Fox 13 News, Judd commented: "He fled past her – didn't help, didn't call 911. I can't begin to tell you the horror of this event."
The sheriff said every indication suggested the mother was 'the most wonderful mum in the world'. The family was regarded as nice and hard-working, with Judd saying the only people 'more shocked and stunned by this in law enforcement are the immediate family'.
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"No one could see this coming," he added.
Judd claimed Settle was 'trying to play this off as an accident', My Suncoast reports, adding: "These are not the actions of a man who just accidentally killed someone. He knew exactly what he was doing.”
The teenager has been charged with second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, five counts of providing false information to law enforcement and discharging a firearm on a residential property.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677