POCATELLO, Idaho — A family dispute escalated dramatically on August 30, culminating in the death of a 68-year-old man after his 44-year-old nephew allegedly used pepper spray and an electric flyswatter against him during a violent confrontation. Emergency responders discovered Jeffery Scott Scoffield unresponsive in a living room chair following a frantic call from his son, Joshua, who rushed to the scene after receiving alarming text messages.
In a probable cause affidavit, investigators reported that Andrew Shane Scoffield initially reached out to Joshua to express concerns over his uncle’s well-being, admitting he believed he might have caused Jeffery’s death. Upon arrival at his father’s home on Park Avenue, Joshua attempted to revive his father with CPR, but efforts were unsuccessful. The ongoing family tensions appear to have played a significant role in the tragic events of that day.
According to statements made by Andrew Scoffield to detectives, he had been living with his uncle for several months. The relationship had deteriorated significantly in the weeks leading up to the incident, reportedly following a $600 loan taken by Andrew. Claims of mistreatment, including derogatory remarks and power disruptions in the basement where he was staying, were raised but remain uncorroborated.
During the confrontation, Andrew claimed that Jeffery returned home and became aggressive, initially shoving him against a door frame before picking up an aluminum bat. Andrew then resorted to using pepper spray, which sparked a physical altercation that ended with Andrew allegedly striking his uncle with the electric flyswatter and causing him to fall backward into a chair, struggling to breathe.
After the fight, Andrew reportedly left the residence and went to a friend’s house to wash off the pepper spray before contacting Joshua, timing that aligns with the police dispatch reports noting a call around 3:15 p.m. that day. Officers later located Andrew, taking him into custody by the evening.
Investigation into the surrounding events revealed erratic behavior by Andrew leading up to the disturbance. A neighbor reported seeing him riding a four-wheeler while shouting profanities, and there were incidents of vandalism involving the tires of vehicles owned by both men. While these details highlight the escalating conflict between them, police have not definitively linked any specific dispute over the vehicles to the eventual fatal confrontation.
The physical evidence collected at the scene did not entirely support Andrew’s account of the event. Law enforcement noted a significant amount of pepper spray residue near Jeffery’s chair, and initial assessments suggested the spray may have impacted his ability to breathe, although an autopsy had not been conducted at the time of reporting.
The unresolved details surrounding the cause of death are critical to the prosecution’s case against Andrew, who faces a charge of second-degree murder. If convicted, he could face a minimum of 10 years in prison, potentially exceeding life imprisonment. Andrew was arraigned via video link from Bannock County Jail, where a bond of $1 million was set, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled.
Adding complexity to the case, Andrew revealed in police interviews that he had used methamphetamine in the weeks leading up to the altercation. However, the available reports do not confirm any direct influence of drug use during the fatal encounter.
As this case unfolds, it highlights the tragic intersection of familial disputes, substance abuse, and violence. With the pending autopsy results and further legal proceedings expected, the resolution remains uncertain as investigators continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding Jeffery Scoffield’s death. No further arrests are anticipated as the community watches the developments closely.