Haven McBride Obituary, Death – A tragic incident unfolded in Riverton, Utah, where a stepfather accidentally shot and killed his 18-year-old stepson while demonstrating firearm safety to his daughter, according to police.
The stepfather, 46-year-old Joseph Le Page Lee, was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of manslaughter following the fatal shooting of Haven Alexander McBride. The incident took place on Tuesday afternoon around 3:15 p.m. at the family’s home on Kesler Peake Drive.
McBride, who had recently graduated with honors from Mountain Ridge High School and was preparing for a mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was described by his family as kind, hardworking, and resilient. In a heartfelt statement, the family said their hearts were broken over the loss.
Police say Lee, who has military experience as a former U.S. Army Green Beret, was showing his family two Glock handguns as part of a safety demonstration. He referred to one of the guns as a “dummy” weapon, intended for training, though it was fully operable. Lee claimed he had cleared that gun and set it aside safely.
During the demonstration, however, Lee mistakenly picked up the second handgun, which was loaded with live ammunition. He reportedly racked the slide and pulled the trigger while the gun was pointed in the direction of McBride, who was sitting just a few feet away on the couch. The bullet struck McBride in the head. He was rushed to the hospital but died shortly after.
According to a police affidavit, Lee admitted he may have confused the two handguns during the session. Investigators reviewed video surveillance footage from inside the home, which confirmed the account. The footage showed McBride briefly standing before starting to sit back down. At that moment, Lee racked the slide and unintentionally fired the shot that killed him.
The affidavit also noted Lee’s extensive firearms training due to his military background, stating that such experience should have made him more cautious. Officers highlighted that Lee should have known the critical rules of firearm safety — including treating every gun as loaded, handling weapons with care, and never pointing a firearm at anything he didn’t intend to shoot.
Based on the evidence and video footage, police determined that Lee acted recklessly, resulting in McBride’s death — a key element in the state’s definition of manslaughter.
The local community is reeling from the incident. Riverton Councilman Andy Pierucci publicly expressed his condolences, urging residents to come together and support the grieving family. “Life is precious,” he wrote, calling for compassion and unity in the face of such a devastating loss.
As the investigation continues, authorities are reviewing all evidence to determine the final legal outcome. In the meantime, McBride’s death serves as a somber reminder of the importance of rigorous firearm safety, especially in homes with children and teens.