Dad ties noose around neck of son’s friend when teen shares that he’s gay, WA cops say

A dad put a noose around the neck of his 13-year-old son’s friend and was arrested, Washington deputies said.

On Oct. 21, the 38-year-old man, identified by KIRO 7 as Joseph Arnim Sweeney, heard his son and his 14-year-old friend talking when he decided to approach them, according to a Facebook post by the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office.

When Sweeney asked the teen if he was gay, the boy replied, “Yes, is it a crime to be gay in this house?” then Sweeney put the noose around his neck, deputies told KIRO 7.

The boy managed to escape and Sweeney lassoed his son who also got away, authorities said.

The 14-year-old went home and told his mom what happened, prompting her to call authorities, deputies said.

After deputies searched Sweeney’s residence, they found a gun, which he wasn’t allowed to own after a domestic violence protection order issued in Kansas City in 2023, authorities told KIRO 7.

Sweeney was arrested on hate crime and assault charges, deputies said.

Kitsap County is about 40-mile drive west of Seattle.

This story was originally published October 23, 2024 at 5:59 PM with the headline "Dad ties noose around neck of son’s friend when teen shares that he’s gay, WA cops say."