Joseph David Voigt, a 24-year-old video game enthusiast from Polk County, Florida, has entered a guilty plea for shooting his parents. The incident occurred after his father, Marvin Voigt, 63, urged him to find employment. The younger Voigt confessed to fatally shooting his father and injuring his mother, aged 58.
Initially, Voigt was charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. However, on Monday, he accepted a guilty plea for second-degree charges of the same crimes, according to court documents. The potential sentence for these crimes ranges from 26 years to life imprisonment. The date for sentencing has not yet been determined.
On December 7, Bartow city police arrived at the Voigt residence in response to the incident. Marvin Voigt was found dead in the driveway from gunshot wounds, while his injured wife was discovered inside the house. She informed the police that their son was the perpetrator and had fled the scene. She survived the shooting.
Following the suspect’s escape, Bartow police sought assistance from the sheriff’s office. A “be on the lookout” alert was issued for Polk County and surrounding areas. Eventually, law enforcement located Voigt’s car in Orlando on International Drive. Local police conducted a traffic stop and arrested him. He was initially detained in the Orange County Jail before being extradited to Polk County.
According to deputies, Voigt confessed to shooting both his parents. He stated that his father was frustrated with him for spending most of his time playing video games and pressuring him to find a job and make something of himself. Voigt’s criminal record includes arrests for discharging a weapon in a residential area and battery.
Bartow Police Chief Stephen Walker expressed deep sadness over the tragic incident. He also expressed gratitude to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Orlando Police Department for their assistance, which led to Voigt’s swift arrest.