Scottsdale man who pulled gun on mom may have ties to Islamic extremists, prosecutors say

Man accused of pointing gun at mom allegedly gamed with Islamic extremists

Prosecutors believe that a Scottsdale man who allegedly pulled a gun on his own mother and another person may have ties to Islamic extremists who he connected with through a video game. FOX 10's Nicole Krasean learns more about how playing a violent video game may have fueled his real-life actions. 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - A 28-year-old Scottsdale man is accused of pointing an assault rifle at his mother and another man, before pulling the trigger. 

While the gun didn't go off, there are new concerns about his alleged obsession with an online video game, and his close ties with global extremists. 

Scottsdale man accused of pulling rifle on mom

There are new concerns about a Scottsdale man's alleged obsession with an online video game and how it may be tied with Islamic extremists from North Africa that he met in the game.

What we know:

Beau Lieurance appeared bloodied and bruised before a judge this week, charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a weapon during the commission of a felony, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.

Beau Lieurance

During the court proceedings, prosecutors raised concerns that a virtual hobby may have fueled real-world violence. 

What they're saying:

"The suspect allegedly was in possession of an AK. A style rifle your honor when he pointed it at victim one which is his alleged mother your honor," prosecutors said. "He did at least based on the information the state has your honor he did pull the trigger on that for some reason your honor that it did the firearm did not go off."

Allegations surfaced that Lieurance plays the video game "Total War" for approximately 50 to 60 hours per week, which prosecutors believed seeped real-life actions.

"There are concerns with the people that he plays with," prosecutors told the court. "They may have ties to Islamic extremists based in North Africa."

What the Suspect Said:

Lieurance denied the charges during the hearing, calling them "completely false." 

"First of all, all the charges that have been placed on that paper are completely false," he said. "It was very obvious to any neighbor you could ask of that. It was intimidation. For three or four days, I finally became fed up."

He also claimed that he was being drugged.

"I knew that, a cousin of mine I believe was involved," he added. I" believe that certain liquid was laced in some of my drinks. Just a THC liquid, two or three times, and I got angry that they were pretending this wasn't being done."

Dig deeper:

The physical aftermath of the incident was visible at Lieurance’s home, where sheets of plywood now cover the garage and windows. While Lieurance argued he was within his "legal right" to defend his portion of the house, prosecutors suggested that mental illness and extreme beliefs are at the root of the case.

"The suspect has stated that he has secret apps on his phone that he uses to communicate with individuals that he is playing Total War with," prosecutors said.

Lieurance also claimed he had gained "entitlement" to his portion of the home over the last seven years while helping an older man. 

He also asked the judge if he could go back to the scene of the alleged crimes, to which the judge replied, "You may not. Not until the next judge says so."

What's next:

Prosecutors suggested that Lieurance may have undiagnosed schizophrenia. 

The judge ultimately increased Lieurance’s cash bond from $50,000 to $100,000. Under the conditions of his release, he is ordered not to return to the scene of the alleged crime and to have no contact with the victims.