Idaho Man Kills Uncle with Electric Flyswatter After ATV Tire Dispute

Andrew Scoffield faces second-degree murder charges in Pocatello, Idaho, after allegedly striking his uncle with an electric flyswatter. The victim was found unconscious and covered in pepper spray.

Idaho Man Accused of Killing Uncle with Electric Flyswatter, Then Fleeing Scene

An Idaho man allegedly beat his uncle to death with a "large electric flyswatter" following a dispute over a deflated ATV, Law & Crime reports. Andrew Scoffield faces a second-degree murder charge in the death of Jeffery Scoffield. The incident took place on a Sunday in Pocatello, in southeast Idaho.

Officers responded to the home after receiving a report of a man found "slumped over and deceased." Jeffery Scoffield's son told police he had received a text message from his cousin — Andrew Scoffield — stating that he may have killed the victim "with an electric fly swatter." The son rushed to the address and found his father unconscious and covered in pepper spray. He performed CPR until first responders arrived, but they pronounced Jeffery Scoffield dead at the scene.

According to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by the East Idaho News and the Idaho State Journal, Andrew Scoffield told detectives — after being read his Miranda rights — that he had been living with his uncle for several months. The relationship had soured following a $600 loan from Jeffery Scoffield to his nephew. Andrew Scoffield claimed his uncle subsequently began making demeaning remarks, calling him "his maid," and cut off electricity to his living area.

Neighbors reportedly told police that Andrew Scoffield had been acting erratically in the days before the killing. He had been riding a four-wheeler through the neighborhood while shouting profanities — behavior that reportedly prompted Jeffery Scoffield to deflate the ATV's tires.

On the day of the incident, Andrew Scoffield alleged that his uncle returned home and immediately began yelling at him. A verbal confrontation escalated into a physical altercation. The suspect reportedly discharged a full can of pepper spray on Jeffery Scoffield, then struck him in the head with the electric flyswatter with enough force to cause the victim's head to "snap back," per the affidavit.

Jeffery Scoffield collapsed into a chair, "gasping for air." Andrew Scoffield allegedly left the scene and went to a friend's house to wash off the pepper spray. Officers arrested him a few hours later.

Andrew Scoffield is being held in the Bannock County Jail on a $1 million bond. His next scheduled court appearance is September 14.

Source: Law & Crime