Haven Alexander McBride, an 18-year-old Caucasian male, tragically lost his life on June 17, 2025, in his family's home in Riverton, Utah. A recent high school graduate with honors, Haven was looking forward to a future that included serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and pursuing a career as an EMT. He was known by family and friends as a kind, funny, and hardworking young man who was deeply loved.
The circumstances of his death unfolded during what
his stepfather, Joseph Le Page Lee, 46, described as an impromptu lesson on firearm safety. Lee was reportedly showing a handgun to his daughter in the living room when the weapon discharged, striking Haven in the head. Following the shooting, there was a delay of approximately four minutes before CPR was initiated. Home surveillance footage reviewed by investigators captured Lee giving Haven a blessing before starting first aid.
In the aftermath of the incident, Joseph Le Page Lee was arrested and subsequently charged with one count of second-degree felony manslaughter and four counts of class A misdemeanor reckless endangerment. While Lee maintained that the shooting was accidental, investigators characterized his handling of the firearm as reckless. Charging documents noted that Lee, who had a military background, expressed disbelief that such an accident could happen to him, stating he had always considered people in similar situations to be "idiots." The case against him is proceeding through the legal system.
