Arizona mom, 72, shoots adult son after video game rage—he survives

Arizona mom, 72, shoots adult son after video game rage—he survives.

Hazel Benson, 72, allegedly shot her 38-year-old son in Mesa, Arizona, during a dispute over video games. He survived, and authorities have charged her with aggravated assault.

👉 Read full coverage: FOX 10 Phoenix via Yahoo News summary


🕵️‍♀️ What Happened

On the night of May 17, a 72-year-old woman—identified locally as Hazel Benson—was arrested after allegedly shooting her 38-year-old son in the stomach during a heated argument at their Mesa home. Their disagreement reportedly began over video game noise. The mother called 911 to report the incident shortly afterward.


💥 What Led to the Shooting

Neighbors say the conflict escalated when Hazel tried to prevent her son from reentering the home after a walk. As he returned, she claimed he lunged at her with raised fists—and that led her to fire the gun. She later admitted to police that she shot him and threw the weapon into a nearby canal.


🩺 Injuries & Legal Action

The son was rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is in stable condition. Hazel Benson was booked on charges of aggravated assault. Police say the confrontation began over loud video gaming and quickly escalated into violence.


💬 Community Shock & Background

Neighbors described Benson’s home as quiet and incident-free before the shooting. One neighbor said, “She kept her home always beautiful… never any incidents, ever before.” Another noted hearing three distinct gunshots.


TL;DR SMH America 🤦‍♂️😏☕

  • A 72-year-old Arizona woman shot her 38-year-old son during a dispute over video games.

  • The son survived and is in stable condition; the mother faces aggravated assault charges.

  • The case has residents stunned—no known history of domestic violence before the incident.


Want an infographic on age-related conflict incidents or local violence trends vs. video game debate? I can produce it next—just say the word.

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