Lydia Nicholson, 68, of Ceres, California, was shot and killed on January 11, 2018 after a domestic confrontation at her home. The conflict began when her son, Matthew Nicholson, 28 at the time, became enraged over a broken video game headset while playing in his bedroom. Lydia went to check on him after hearing him yell; the argument escalated and Matthew threatened to kill both parents. He retrieved a handgun, fired two rounds into a wall, then shot Lydia in the head. She was taken to a local hospital and died shortly afterward.

After shooting Lydia, Matthew tried to shoot his father, Loren Nicholson, but the gun jammed and Loren was able to wrestle the weapon away. Matthew fled in a vehicle to a relative’s home in Riverbank, where police conducted a high-risk stop and arrested him without further incident. The Ceres Police Department charged Matthew Nicholson with murder. Reports during the investigation noted prior concerns about Matthew’s mental health.

If anyone knew Lydia or has information about the evening of January 11, 2018, please share what you remember.