Teen Finds Father Dead, Suspect Arrested After Violent Altercation

On March 23, 2025, at approximately 4:47 AM, officers were dispatched to a residence at 823 11^th St. NW following a frantic 911 call from a teenager. The teenager reported finding her father, Walter Scott, deceased on the floor with blood on his head. The suspect, identified as Seth Stevenson, had reportedly fled the scene of the crime. Officers found Stevenson nearby on Manzano Court, apprehended him, and discovered cuts on his arms with active bleeding, requiring transport to a hospital. Medics at the scene pronounced Walter Scott deceased, and APD homicide detectives were called in.

The daughter’s distressed 911 call revealed she discovered her father’s body and then she encountered Seth Stevenson, who she said was throwing things at her, attempting to take her phone, and forcing his way into her room. While on the phone with 911, she pleaded with him to leave and screamed, “Get off me,” “Leave the house,” and “He’s assaulting me.” The daughter stated to 911 that Stevenson broke the front window, jumped out, and appeared to have injured himself as he lay motionless on the porch.

Responding officers observed a blood trail leading from a broken front window, across the sidewalk, and into the street, ending where they apprehended Stevenson. There was also blood on a neighbor’s doorknob. Inside the residence, the front window appeared broken from the inside, with a fallen lamp nearby. Inside the residence, officers found the victim lying on his back with a wound to the back of his head and blood coming from his ear. A small black gun lay under a desk near his feet, and a casing was in a box next to the gun.

A neighbor reported hearing a loud thump or bang followed by breaking glass around 4:45 AM, and then a female scream and a male and female talking. A friend of both Walter and the Stevenson stated he was with them earlier in the evening, and both men consumed ketamine and alcohol. The friend mentioned minor arguments between Walter and Stevenson, and that Walter owned a gun, but he was unaware of Stevenson possessing one. The friend reported to police that Stevenson was someone who “liked to party hard.” The friend left the residence around 1:37 AM, later hearing about the shooting and suspecting Stevenson was responsible.

In an interview with police, the teenage daughter of the victim stated that Stevenson had been at their house with her father, Walter, and additional individuals. The victim’s daughter stated the other company left around midnight, but Seth and her father kept socializing. Later, after trying to sleep, the victim’s child heard a loud bang, possibly a gunshot, which woke her. Shortly after, she found her father lying on the floor with a severe head injury.

The victim’s daughter then encountered Stevenson in the kitchen, who threw items at her and tried to force open her father’s room door. The victim’s child told police Stevenson threw a record player against the wall and knocked over several speakers and other items. She called 911 and retreated to her room, where Stevenson kicked the door, entered, and tried to take her phone, grabbing her wrists. The victim’s daughter heard glass breaking and saw Stevenson leaving through the broken window.

After officers read him his rights, Stevenson stated that he blacked out, asked if Walter was okay, but then requested a lawyer. Based on the evidence and witness statements, investigators concluded there was probable cause to charge Seth Stevenson with murder in the first degree (willful & deliberate), Child Abuse (No Death or GBH) (Intentional) (1st Offense), and Criminal damage to property (over $1000).

Stevenson was booked into MDC on March 24, 2025.

Stevenson’s Extensive Criminal History: Domestic Violence, DWI Charges, and Assault but Most Charges Dismissed or Vacated

The accused did have a past criminal history, including:

• Domestic violence charges for battery (2006) – pled guilty to battery (Petty Misdemeanor) in 2007
• Bribery/Intimidation/Retribution of a Witness and Aggravated Battery Against a Household Member (2007) – this was dismissed as the case proceeded in district court
• Battery Against a Household Member X 3 (2007) – these charges were dismissed in 2008, it states “VACATE GUILTY PLEA SETTING OF 1-15-08” it is possible that the reporting party did not want to participate in this case, so the charges were dismissed.
• Inflicting great bodily harm on a household member or using a deadly weapon whereby death or great bodily harm can be inflicted (2007) – this charge was dismissed as the case proceeded in district court.
• Aggravated battery household member (DW/GBH) battery against a household member (2008) – this was dismissed by the prosecutor in 2009. According to court notes “the alleged victim is uncooperative.“
• DWI Driving While Under the Influence of Liquor or Drugs (Open Count)(Misdemeanor) (2020) – this DWI charge was dismissed/vacated in 2020. At the time, the State stated there was “pending outstanding discovery.“
• Battery (2023) – Stevenson pled not guilty. According to court documents, the prosecutor reportedly failed to appear, so the charge was dismissed.
• Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon) (Felony), False Imprisonment (Felony), Battery (household member) (misdemeanor), Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm) (Felony), and Negligent Use of a Deadly Weapon (Intoxication) (misdemeanor) (2023) – the charges were dismissed by Prosecutor / Nolle Prosequi. The court filing states “the State does not believe it can proceed with felony charges at this time.“

**The individuals featured in this or other ABQ RAW reports are presumed innocent until their guilt is established in a court of law.**