An eight-year-old shot and killed his elderly caregiver after playing Grand Theft Auto, according to police in Slaughter, Louisiana. The child shot the elderly woman in the head in a mobile home while she was watching television.

"Although a motive for the shooting is unknown at this time, investigators have learned that the juvenile suspect was playing a video game on the Play Station III "Grand Theft Auto IV", a realistic game that has been associated with encouraging violence and awards points to players for killing people, just minutes before the homicide occurred," said a statement issued by the Sheriff's Office.

Marie Smothers, who was almost ninety, was the current guardian of the child, who has been released to his parents and will not be charged with a crime. After initially telling investigators the shooting was an accident, police found evidence that the shooting was intentional. The boy reportedly shared a "normal, loving, relationship" with Smothers.

The boy's identity will not be revealed by authorities due to his age. The gun used in the shooting belonged to Smothers. Beyond the fact that the child was playing the violent video game, not other evidence has been released linking the game to the murder.

[Photo courtesy WAFB]