A Florida man has pleaded guilty to murder charges after admitting to police that he shot his parents because they were annoyed by how much time he spent playing video games.
Joseph Voigt, 24, shot and killed his father Marvin Voigt and left his mother Susan Voigt with a severe gunshot wound on Dec. 7, 2024, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Joseph told deputies that his father also was “riding his ass” about making something of himself and getting a job.
Joseph pleaded guilty on April 7 to second-degree murder and first-degree attempted murder, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.
He had previously been charged with first-degree murder, but the charge was reduced in the plea agreement. The state also agreed not to prosecute a charge of shooting into a building.
The Bartow Police Department said they received a call from Susan at around 11:20 p.m. on Dec. 7, saying that her son shot her. When law enforcement arrived, Marvin was found with gunshot wounds to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene, per an affiant complaint reviewed by PEOPLE. Susan was inside their household with serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital.
According to a news release, Susan told officers that her son had fled the scene and they put out a notice for all law enforcement agencies to look out for his vehicle. At 2:00 a.m., Voigt’s car was spotted by the Orlando Police Department.
Police said they then conducted a traffic stop and took him into custody where Joseph admitted to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office that he initiated the shooting.
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Joseph’s criminal history includes arrests for firing a weapon in a residential area and battery, according to the sheriff’s office.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic and senseless shooting,” Stephen Walker, chief of the Bartow Police Department said in a statement. “We sincerely appreciate the assistance provided by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Orlando Police Department in this case, which led to the quick arrest of the suspect, Joseph Voigt.”
