A 16-year-old Texas teen was allegedly shot and killed by a relative over video game “smack talk.”
Tavion Swindell, 16, died after he was shot in the chest by a 35-year-old man in Crowley, Texas, according to police.
The suspected shooter was identified as Deeven Jones, 35, who is currently in custody. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by CBS News Texas, Jones opened fire as the two were “smack talking” during gameplay.
“During the gameplay, words were exchanged commonly associated with ‘smack talking.’ Jones then pulled a gun out and placed it against Tavion’s chest and the firearm discharged, striking Tavion in the chest,” the arrest affidavit states.
Tavion’s mother said Jones is related to her son. She also stated Jones called 911 after the shooting.
“Based off of what we know at this point in time, and what the family has told us, it doesn’t really fit that sort of pattern that we consistently see,” Michelle Morgan, executive vice president and director of the Family Justice Center with One Safe Place, a crime prevention agency, said in a statement.
“From a crime prevention standpoint, we have this tragic death of a 16-year-old that could have been preventable,” she added. “It looks like the family didn’t manage a conflict – and if it was over a video game, I would also assume it was violent in nature, which is another possible factor.”
Tavion played football and attended Southwest High School in Fort Worth. The school’s principal sent out a letter in the wake of Tavion’s death, saying counselors would be available for grieving students and staff.
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