Arkansas Man Faces Murder Charge After Fatal Stepson Shooting

An Arkansas man stands formally charged with murder following the shooting death of his stepson last month. John E. Rich III, 68, is accused of killing Richard Lease, 38, at their shared Logan County residence on January 7. Deputies from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office discovered Lease deceased in a bedroom after responding to a reported shooting.

According to an affidavit filed by the Arkansas State Police on February 3, an argument escalated into a physical altercation between the two men. Lease reportedly retreated to his room, at which point Rich allegedly retrieved an AR-style rifle, forced open the door, and began firing. Rich reportedly told investigators he desired Lease out of the home due to alleged theft of tools and money.

Rich was formally charged on February 18 and is currently held on a $1 million bond. He is scheduled for arraignment on Friday. Lease's obituary indicates he died "by his Mother's side," though authorities have not specified who placed the 911 call.