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Report: Hoffman Estates man pleads not guilty to killing father

A 22-year-old man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges he killed his father following an argument in their Hoffman Estates home, the Chicago Tribune is reporting.

Alec Tarasiuk is facing six counts of first degree murder in the death of Walter Tarasiuk on Jan. 10.

Tarasiuk remains held without bail. His next court date is April 3, the Tribune reports.

Hoffman Estates police said Alec W. Tarasiuk admitted killing his 57-year-old father with a single gunshot wound to the head after an argument, authorities said.

Authorities said Alec Tarasiuk told police he was upset because his father called him a name, told him he was worthless and said he had failed to do anything productive with his life.

After the argument, Walter Tarasiuk retreated to his bedroom, donned a headset and played video games on his X-Box, authorities said.

During the game, he interacted with other online players, frequently yelling threats at them, authorities said.

Alec Tarasiuk overheard the threats from his nearby bedroom, and told authorities he "felt threatened because he believed the verbal threats were meant to be directed toward him."

Authorities said Alec retrieved his father's loaded handgun from the garage and shot his father once in the head. He then shut off the game and returned to his room, authorities said.

Alec Tarasiuk then called 911 and told the dispatcher he had shot his father, authorities said.

Officers found the victim in the master bedroom, still wearing his gaming headset with the controller in his lap.

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