A man wearing camouflage appears to have broken into the back door of a North Carolina couple and fired an unloaded gun, according to surveillance video.
A McDowell County couple shared surveillance footage with local news outlets and authorities after a man identified as Tyler Messer stood in their backyard with a rifle.
While aiming, Messer looked back at the couple who were in the house at the time.
“As I was folding one of my towels, I had my phone in front of me and it alerted me that there was movement on my back,” Preston McHone said. WLOS. “So I just turn around and yell, ‘Billy, there’s someone with a gun at the back door,'” he added.
Mr. Messer was still on the porch when he drew his rifle around 11 p.m. Audio of the gun failing to fire a projectile can be heard on the video, indicating it was likely an empty chamber. However, the cause of the explosion is still unknown, with local news outlets reporting that it was an accidental explosion.
After the alleged misfire, Messer took time to inspect his rifle before fleeing the premises.
It also remains unclear whether the suspect’s intent was to kill the homeowners, as law enforcement memos describe Messer as “mentally ill.”
“Defendant is mentally ill. Defendant has stated to his family that he intends to rid the world of sin,” a note on County Judge McDowell’s bail statement said.
“When he pulled the trigger, he turned and in that short rotation, he realized he didn’t fire, because at that point he was supposed to.” [my partner] “He missed a step and had his weapon loaded and did not comply,” McHone continued.
The couple hid inside the house for several minutes until police arrived. They soon learn that this is not the first time Messer has visited their home. Messer reportedly visited his father’s home three times in the past year to look for him.
The couple did not know who the man’s father was.
The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office reported that the suspect was charged with assault with a firearm, first-degree criminal trespass, and stalking. Bail was set on the charge at $200,000.
Two days later, the charges against Messer, 29, were upgraded to include attempted murder.
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