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Abusive Maryland man gives shotgun to teenage son and tells him 'end it now' after boy admits to having suicidal thoughts

The father, 46-year-old Anthony Lewis, who is also accused of abusing his young son, allegedly told him to "do it, just do it". But when the boy was forced to hold the gun, he dropped it and ran into his room, locking the door behind him

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND: A father reportedly handed a shotgun to his 14-year-old son and told him "end it now" after the teenager confided in him that he was having suicidal thoughts.

The father, 46-year-old Anthony Lewis, who is also accused of abusing his young son, allegedly told him to "do it, just do it." But when the boy was forced to hold the gun, he dropped it and ran into his room, locking the door behind him.

Lewis' behavior is allegedly part of a pattern of abuse that the child had suffered for at least six months, WMAR-TV quoted prosecutors in Anne Arundel County as saying.

In connection with the abuse, he has been charged with attempted first-degree assault, second-degree assault, child abuse, reckless endangerment, assisted suicide by providing means, firearm use, and failure to send a child to school.

It is being said that Lewis hit his son with a belt or extension cord more than 20 times on at least three different occasions between January and June this year, according to court documents.

Investigators say the alleged beatings resulted in a number of bruises and welts on the teenager's body. The son told police how Lewis allegedly strangled him on one occasion that caused him to see "weird colors in my eyes" before "it started turning black".

It was during the same time period that the boy confided in his parents that he was contemplating suicide, investigators said. The boy reportedly went to his room and locked the door behind him after Lewis forced him to take hold of the firearm, according to charging documents.

According to ABC News, a warrant for Lewis' arrest was subsequently issued on November 20. A preliminary court hearing is set for December 23 and Lewis is being held without bond until then at the Jennifer Road Detention Center in Anne Arundel County.

If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, you are urged to call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.