Oroville, California – In a poignant courtroom scene on Thursday, 35-year-old Matthew Shane Theobald accepted a plea deal for the first-degree murder of his father, Lenny Doe, during a turbulent family dispute. Theobald’s confession in Butte County Superior Court included his admission to using a shotgun in the act, casting a shadow over what had been a strained father-son relationship.
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey highlighted the events leading up to the tragic shooting. Doe, 54, had permitted Theobald to live on his property located on West Sacramento Avenue in Chico. Tensions escalated between them in the weeks prior to the incident, culminating in a confrontation on September 22 when Doe requested his son complete chores while he worked.
When Doe returned home to find the chores unfinished, a heated argument erupted outside. It was during this altercation that Doe threatened to inform Theobald’s parole agent of his shortcomings, a move that ignited Theobald’s violent response. He returned to the house, retrieved a shotgun, and the situation quickly deteriorated.
The confrontation escalated further, leading Doe to call 911 at 4:54 p.m. During the call, there are reports of him pleading for his life, with the call abruptly ending after a distinct popping sound. When deputies arrived shortly thereafter, Theobald confessed to shooting his father and led them to the weapon.
Doe sustained serious injuries from three gunshot wounds—one to his side and two to his head. According to law enforcement officials, Theobald confessed that he intentionally shot his father in the head to ensure he was dead, revealing the chilling nature of the crime.
At the time of the incident, Theobald was already on parole from a prior assault conviction linked to a separate incident involving a correctional deputy in November 2022. Notably, he had violated his parole by removing his ankle GPS monitor, which was a breach of his release conditions.
Ramsey indicated that Theobald is scheduled to return for sentencing on December 11, 2025, facing a potential prison term of 35 years to life. Court records reflect a troubling history of criminal activity for Theobald, including burglary, vandalism, making criminal threats, and battery against a peace officer.
As the community grapples with the implications of this tragic incident, Theobald’s case serves as a somber reminder of the perilous ties that can exist within families, and the devastating outcomes that can arise from unresolved conflicts.