A man was arrested in connection to the murder of his father, and he was taken into custody while naked at the Mardi Gras Casino and Resort in West Virginia.
Thomas Jeffrey Lawson Jr. was arraigned on Sunday, February 22, in Kanawha County Magistrate Court on the first-degree murder charge, according to WCHS.
Lawson Jr., 33, has been accused of shooting and killing his father, Thomas Lawson Sr., on Saturday, February 21, according to a criminal complaint viewed by the outlet.
Investigators said that Lawson Sr. left his home around 2 p.m. on February 21 to help his son cut trees on his property.
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When Lawson Sr. didn’t return home, his wife contacted another family member to express her concerns. That family member called 911 around 10:30 p.m. and deputies then reported to the scene, where they found Lawson Sr.’s body near his son’s home.
Investigators said that Lawson Sr. was shot at least six times in the back and the back of his head, according to the complaint. Additionally, deputies found a chainsaw near his feet.
Lawson Sr. had a revolver in his pocket, according to investigators. However, officials confirmed that the weapon had not been fired and still contained all six rounds.
After authorities found the body, they noted that Lawson Jr. was not at the residence and his truck was also missing.
While speaking to officers, Lawson Sr.’s wife said that her husband went to his son’s home to help cut trees. She also added that she was afraid of the son.
“Mrs. Lawson advised deputies that Mr. Lawson Sr. was afraid of his son and was ‘just trying to be a good dad,’” the complaint said, per the outlet.
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Lawson Sr.’s wife told investigators that the father and son had a history of incidents that turned physical. Additionally, she said that shortly after her husband left the home, she believed she heard Lawson Jr.’s truck leaving his home and heading toward Route 52.
Amid the investigation, authorities learned that Lawson Jr. was traveling to the Mardi Gras Casino and Resort in Nitro. He is alleged to have a severe gambling addiction and frequently visited the casino.
Officers in McDowell County notified law enforcement in Kanawha County that Lawson Jr. was heading to the casino, though they soon learned he had already been taken into custody for an unrelated incident.
Lawson Jr. entered a bathroom inside the casino around 1 a.m. on February 22. He removed his clothes and left the bathroom wearing only a hat and shoes. Nitro police officers working security approached him, and he reportedly made an obscene gesture, shouted an obscenity and attempted to flee. However, Lawson Jr. was tackled by security.
Investigators received text messages exchanged between the father and son before the killing, which included their plans to meet and cut trees. Lawson Sr. texted his son that he was on his way around 1:30 p.m., per the complaint.
Lawson Jr. is currently being held at the South Central Regional Jail without bond. It is not currently clear if Lawson Jr. has entered a plea or retained legal representation.
The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment.
