15-Year-Old Ohio Boy Kills ‘Abusive’ Stepfather After Shooting Him 12 Times for Beating His Mom

Lifestyle
Paul Johns
February 27, 2025
9 minutes read

(Image: Levonte Thebully/Facebook)

A 15-year-old Ohio boy, Ronez Joyce, has been charged with the murder of his stepfather, Levonte Hyde, 30, who was allegedly abusive toward the teen’s mother. The incident occurred in a Cincinnati home after Hyde reportedly attacked Joyce’s mother, prompting the teen to retrieve a firearm and shoot Hyde at least 12 times.

According to court documents and police reports, Hyde had allegedly struck Joyce’s mother “in the face with a closed fist several times, causing physical injury” while they were returning home from a store. Prior to the shooting, Joyce’s mother had filed a police report accusing Hyde of assault.

Assistant prosecutor Tatyana Reintjes stated during an initial court hearing on Friday that Joyce was charged with murder because he “had time to find a firearm, open a safe, retrieve that firearm, and waited for the victim to arrive” before shooting Hyde. Police arrived at the scene around 12:30 a.m. and found Hyde with multiple gunshot wounds, as reported by WLWT.

He was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center but was later pronounced dead. Three officers were dispatched to the 1600 block of Pasadena Avenue following the incident. Joyce was arrested later that day and appeared in court on Friday, where he denied the charges. The judge ordered him to remain in custody until the next hearing, scheduled for March 3.

Levonte Hyde was reportedly shot 12 times by his stepson.(Levonte Thebully / Facebook)

Hyde, who shared two children with Joyce’s mother, had a history of alleged domestic violence. The case has sparked discussions about the circumstances leading to the shooting, with some questioning whether the teen acted in defense of his mother, according to FOX 19.

As the legal proceedings continue, the community awaits further details on the case. Joyce’s defense and the prosecution are expected to present their arguments in the upcoming hearing, which will determine the next steps in the high-profile case.