Boy, 10, 'shot and killed strict father'

Police in America have charged a 10-year-old-boy with first-degree murder over the shooting death of his father.

Police claimed the boy called the local police in Belen, New Mexico, after the shooting. The officers arrived at the family's home to find Byron Hilburn, 42, shot once in the head.

The authorities claim the boy, who has not been named, used his own rifle to shoot his father.



They said he told officers that his father had been disciplining him too harshly and too often in the lead up to the shooting. Police believe the boy's 6-year-old sister witnessed the shooting. The girl is now staying with other family members.

The boy was taken into the custody of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department at an undisclosed location. Though neighbours said the family seemed normal, the state agency responsible for protecting children had been called about problems in the home.

Romaine Serna, spokeswoman for CYFD, said the agency was called to check on the family more than seven times since 2003 after receiving anonymous reports of child abuse and neglect. "We had concerns about this family. There were red flags," Ms Serna said.