BOARDMAN, Ohio - A judge set a bond at $500,000 for a suspect charged with the shooting death of his father in Boardman over the weekend. 

Former Mahoning County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Bruno Jr., 49, was arraigned early Tuesday on charges of aggravated murder and domestic violence.

Boardman Police were called to Bruno's Lealand Avenue home around 7:30 a.m. Saturday and found his father, 74-year-old Michael J. Bruno Sr., who had been shot several times.

The victim's son was outside the home and surrendered to police, who say he confessed to shooting his father in one of the home's bedrooms. 

According to the Mahoning County Sheriff, Bruno became a deputy under Sheriff Wellington in 2000 and left the department in 2006.

Police say Bruno told them he shot his father with a handgun that he purchased when he was a law enforcement officer.

Bruno denied that an argument preceded the shooting, according to the police report.  Asked by police if he just shot his father, Bruno replied "Yes". Bruno told police he believed he had COVID-19 which influenced his actions. The report details that several shell casings were located inside the Lealand Ave. home. 

"I'm very sorry," Bruno Jr. said during his arraignment on Tuesday. "I never meant for this to happen."

Another court hearing is scheduled for next week.