A 15-year-old boy in Cincinnati has been accused of fatally shooting his mother’s ex-partner in a violent altercation. The teenager allegedly fired 12 rounds at the man, identified as 30-year-old Levonte Hyde, after an argument escalated into physical abuse against the boy’s mother.
According to police, the deadly encounter took place around 12:45 a.m. Thursday on Pasadena Avenue in College Hill. Hyde was found shot inside his car and later pronounced dead at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Police scanner audio revealed that Hyde had allegedly assaulted the boy’s mother earlier that day while they were driving. Reports indicate that Hyde, in a heated dispute, called the woman a derogatory term and repeatedly struck her in the face with a closed fist.
Later that night, the teen reportedly retrieved a firearm, waited for Hyde to arrive, and opened fire. The victim was shot multiple times while inside his car. Authorities said the boy’s mother was present at the scene and later contacted emergency services.
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The teen, who was taken into custody, appeared in court on Friday and denied the charges. However, prosecutors argue that the attack was premeditated.
“He had time to locate a firearm, open a safe, retrieve it, and wait for the victim before firing 12 shots,” said Assistant Prosecutor Tatyana Reintjes. Prosecutors have requested the case be transferred to adult court, with a hearing scheduled for March 3.
Court records show that Hyde had a history of domestic violence involving the teen’s mother. In 2017, he was charged with assault and criminal damaging, with the same woman as the victim. He was later convicted of a lesser charge in 2018 and ordered to stay away from her.
On the day of the shooting, authorities had issued a misdemeanor domestic violence warrant for Hyde. A temporary protective order was also in place, instructing him to avoid contact with the woman.
The tragic incident has sparked debate on self-defense, domestic violence, and juvenile crime. While some argue that the teen acted out of protection for his mother, others emphasize the severity of taking a life.
