Man who beat grandfather to death over shrimp argument found guilty

AURORA, Colo. — A grandfather died at the hands of his own grandson, a jury in Arapahoe County found on Thursday. The two got into an argument over shrimp, but the argument turned bloody. 

Authorities say Jason VanBommel, 34, beat Frans VanBommel, 84, after his elder chided him for yelling at his grandmother over shrimp she was preparing for dinner in December of 2015.

VanBommel flew into a rage, prosecution said, leading him to throw full-strength punches at his grandfather. After beating the man to the ground, VanBommel kicked him in the torso, fracturing his ribs.

Police rush to the scene after a call for help rang out. They arrested VanBommel not far from the home and helped get the elderly man to a hospital.

Eventually, Frans VanBommel's condition worsened and he died just days later in the hospital. The death led to charges of reckless manslaughter and first-degree assault of an at-risk adult. 

"With this verdict, the jury made clear that elder abuse will not be tolerated in this community, regardless of whether it s perpetrated by a complete stranger or a member of the victim's family," Chief Deputy District Attorney Brian Sugiocki said. 

Officials say the sentencing range for a class 2 felony is between 16 and 48 years. He will be sentenced on June 16.