ROCK CAVE, WV – A 15-year-old West Virginia boy was forced to defend himself and his mother from his father, who had become a threat to their lives, according to state authorities. The teen’s father, Maxwell Laham, had brandished a 12-gauge shotgun and fired at his wife, forcing her and one of their children to flee their Rock Cave home on Wednesday night.
State police were summoned to the scene where they learned of the tragic series of events. The teen, who had remained in the house during the initial altercation, armed himself with a 20-gauge shotgun and retreated to the upper level of the house. Laham, however, pursued his son upstairs, where he aimed his weapon at the boy.
In a desperate act of self-defense, the teenager shot his father once in the chest, resulting in Laham’s death. The state police confirmed this account, adding that no other injuries were reported in the incident.
The case remains under active investigation by the West Virginia State Police. The incident has shocked the local community, highlighting the devastating impact of domestic violence and the tragic circumstances that can force a child into a situation of life or death.