A father was arrested after placing a noose around the neck of his 13-year-old son’s buddy, according to Washington deputies.
On Oct. 21, the 38-year-old dad, named by KIRO 7 as Joseph Arnim Sweeney, decided to approach his son and his 14-year-old friend after hearing them chatting, according to a Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post.
Sweeney asked the adolescent if he was gay, and the youngster replied, “Yes, is it a crime to be gay in this house?” Sweeney then tied the noose around his neck, according to deputies. The youngster escaped, and Sweeney lassoed his son, who also fled, according to officials.
According to deputies, the 14-year-old returned home and informed his mother of what had occurred, prompting her to contact authorities.
Deputies discovered a gun at Sweeney’s home, which he was not permitted to own due to a domestic violence protective order filed in Kansas City in 2023, according to police.
Sweeney was arrested for hate crimes and assault, according to deputies.
Kitsap County is approximately 40 miles west of Seattle.
Reference:
Dad ties noose around neck of son’s friend when teen shares that he’s gay, WA cops say