Son's Internet Obsession Turns Deadly, Fueling Fears About Digital Addiction in Children

A California jury has convicted a 61-year-old man of first-degree murder after prosecutors said he flew into a violent rage when his family moved a Wi-Fi router out of his bedroom, cutting off his internet access.

The case, which left two family members dead and a third seriously injured, is now being cited by authorities and commentators as a stark warning about the emotional volatility that can surround extreme digital dependency inside the home.

Deadly Shooting Inside Family Home

William Bushey was found guilty in San Diego of murdering his sister, Laurie Robinson, 61, and his nephew, Brett Robinson, 33, during a shooting at his home on 21 August 2024. His mother, June Bushey, who was 86 at the time, survived after being shot in the chest and hand, though she lost three fingers, police said.

Prosecutors told jurors that Bushey used a shotgun 'nobody knew he had', firing on his family moments after discovering the household internet had been disconnected from his room.

Prosecutors Point to Wi-Fi Dispute as Trigger

According to opening statements, Bushey emerged from his room asking, 'Where's the internet?' shortly before the violence began. Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello said the internet outage occurred after Bushey's sister moved the Wi-Fi router into their mother's bedroom.

An AT&T technician was also confronted by Bushey outside the home earlier that day, prosecutors said. Investigators argued that the sudden loss of internet access sparked a long-simmering rage, culminating in the fatal shooting.

Family Tensions and Warning Signs

Testimony revealed that Bushey had lived with his mother for about 15 years and was known to spend most of his time playing computer games while the router remained in his room. Laurie Robinson had moved into the house just nine days before the attack, following a separation from her husband.

Prosecutors said police had been called to the home multiple times in the past due to Bushey's emotional outbursts, describing a pattern of instability that escalated after the household dynamic changed.

June Bushey told the court she was shot moments after her son came out of his room. 'He came out of his room, and he shot her,' she recalled, describing how she ran from the house as neighbours shouted for her to keep down. She said she feared calling the police during the attack because she thought she would be shot.

Defence Arguments Rejected by Jury

Bushey's defence team argued that he was suffering from depression, unemployment and emotional distress after testing positive for HIV. Public defender Denis Lainez told jurors that 'sixty years of emotion, anger and resentment' had built up inside his client.

The defence claimed Bushey did not intend to harm his mother and suggested the shooting of his nephew occurred during a struggle over the weapon. Jurors ultimately rejected those arguments, convicting Bushey on all major counts.

Case Fuels Wider Concerns Over Digital Addiction

While Bushey is an adult, the case has reignited broader debate about digital dependency and how sudden restrictions on internet access can provoke extreme emotional reactions. Prosecutors did not present medical diagnoses but repeatedly highlighted Bushey's reliance on online gaming and constant internet access as a key factor in the events leading up to the shooting.

Experts and child safety advocates say the case underscores growing concerns about emotional regulation, screen dependency and warning signs inside family homes, particularly as parents grapple with managing internet use among children and young people.

Bushey is scheduled to be sentenced next month and faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.