A dad allegedly told his 12-year-old son he had "earned his man card" following the murder of a mother-of-four last month.

Heith Gleason, 35, and his son were charged with the murder of Amy Garcia whose body was found in a burnt-out car in Walsenburg, Colorado on December 20.

The car was riddled with bullet holes, reports the New York Post.

A witness who apparently interacted with Gleason inside his home prior to the killing told police that he and Garcia had been arguing about alcohol.

The witness told police Gleason picked up a gun, said "I’ll kill her," and then walked outside, KOAA reported.

(Image: Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility)

Moments later, a single gunshot was heard, then Gleason walked back in and said he didn’t kill Garcia, the affidavit said.

Police quoted the witness as saying that Gleason then went back outside with his son and a .22-caliber firearm, and more gunshots were heard.

When Gleason came back inside a second time, he told the witness that his son "just earned his man card", KOAA reported, citing the affidavit.

The father was jailed while the son was being held in a youth detention centre.

It is not known what the relationship between Gleason and Garcia was.

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Captain Milan Rapo, with Huerfano County Sheriff’s Office, said: "It was a bad crime. I don’t think anyone in this community has had to deal with anything like that.

"In a small community like this, especially with someone like Amy, a lot of people knew who she was."