A Florida woman allegedly shot her own father in front of his home after he told his daughter to “get out of my face.”
Leah Verona Scott, 43, was charged with first-degree murder after police in West Palm Beach located her following the alleged shooting. According to an arrest affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime, Scott was driving through the neighborhood where her father, 75-year-old Leroy Scott, lived at approximately 8:22 a.m. on Tuesday. She was on her way to visit her aunt and uncle, who live a few doors down from her father.
According to the affidavit, Leah Scott noticed her father working in his driveway and decided to get out of her car and confront him. When he walked away from her, she allegedly took out a handgun from her waistband and shot him in the back.
According to the affidavit, after Leroy Scott fell to the ground, his daughter allegedly shot him three more times. She then returned to her Saturn Vue and left the scene.
Leroy Scott died at the scene after life-saving efforts failed, according to police. The entire incident was captured on residential security cameras as well as a camera from Bak Middle School, which was in session at the time and was only 50 feet away, according to police.
Police were able to quickly identify and locate Leah Scott, who was then taken into custody and questioned. According to the affidavit, Leah Scott admitted to police that she shot her father and stated that she wanted him to “stop bothering her.” He said, “Get out of my face,” and walked away from her. Leah Scott stated that this “made her upset.”
According to the affidavit, Leah Scott stated that she planned to shoot herself after allegedly shooting her father, but decided against it, telling police that it “was not right.” She told police that she had disposed of her gun.
Leah Scott worked as a teacher at JFK Middle School at the time of the alleged shooting. Local Fox affiliate WFLX obtained a statement from the school stating that “Ms. Scott will no longer have access to our campus or contact with students.”
A judge denied Leah Scott bond during her court appearance on Wednesday. Her defense attorney, Scott Skier, told local ABC affiliate WPBF, “I don’t believe we should rely solely on that narrative. I believe that over time, facts will emerge that explain the circumstances and may provide a defense to this.”
Leah Scott was charged with first-degree murder and displaying weapons on school grounds as a result of the shooting near Bak Middle School. Her next court date is scheduled for September 25.
