CLARKSTON, Wash. — A Washington state man has been sentenced to more than 23 years in prison after admitting he fatally shot his neighbor during a dispute over loud music, telling investigators he had reached his breaking point after months of conflict.
David E. Boyd, 78, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm in the January 2025 killing of 53-year-old Chad VanScotter. An Asotin County judge sentenced Boyd to 280 months in prison.
Months Of Friction Ended In Deadly Confrontation
According to court documents, Boyd told police he had endured months of loud music coming from VanScotter’s neighboring apartment.
Investigators said VanScotter had placed a speaker against the shared wall between their apartments and was playing a “Mister Rogers” song at a high volume on the night of the shooting. Boyd, who said he typically went to bed early, told officers he “lost it” and walked next door to confront his neighbor while armed with a .38-caliber revolver.
Victim Shot Three Times
Court records state that when Boyd confronted VanScotter, the victim allegedly swung a walking stick toward Boyd’s head.
Prosecutors said Boyd responded by firing multiple shots, striking VanScotter twice in the chest and once “right between his eyes.” VanScotter died at the scene.
After the shooting, Boyd returned to his apartment, where police found him when they arrived.
Notes Revealed Planned Murder-Suicide
Investigators recovered handwritten notes indicating Boyd had contemplated killing his neighbor before taking his own life.
Boyd later told officers he intended to shoot himself after the confrontation to avoid prison but could not bring himself to do it. He instead called 911 and admitted to the shooting, according to court documents.
Plea Agreement Reduced Original Charge
Boyd was initially charged with first-degree murder. Under a plea agreement, he admitted guilt to the lesser charge of second-degree murder while also pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm because of prior felony convictions, including an aggravated assault conviction in 2013.
Judge Brooke Burns imposed a sentence of 280 months, or roughly 23 years and four months, in state prison.
Noise Dispute Turns Deadly
The case serves as another example of a neighborhood dispute escalating into deadly violence.
While Boyd claimed months of loud music and ongoing harassment drove his actions, prosecutors argued the confrontation ended with an unjustified killing that could not be excused by frustration over a noisy neighbor.
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