An elderly man in Mississippi was shot and killed with his own firearm while confronting a suspected burglar, as his wife managed to flee for help, according to authorities.
Union County Sheriff Jimmy Edwards stated that Eric Basco broke into Bobby McGill’s residence around 4 a.m. on a Thursday night, catching McGill and his wife off guard while they slept.
At 81 years old, McGill struggled with Basco, who then gained control of McGill’s weapon and shot him several times, as reported by Edwards.
According to the sheriff, “It seems there was a physical altercation between the homeowner and the intruder. He had a pistol stored near the foot of his bed. From what we can gather, he might have tried to grab the pistol when the intruder was fighting him, and in the course of that, Basco got hold of the gun and shot Mr. McGill repeatedly.”
Peggy, McGill’s wife, was able to escape and informed 911 about the attack on her husband.
Edwards suggested Basco’s intentions appeared to be burglary, noting that he later shot himself in a bathroom and subsequently died at a hospital.
Interestingly, investigators obtained video footage from the night prior showing Basco walking about 1.5 miles away from McGill’s home, raising his arms and allegedly shouting “God is dead.”
Edwards indicated that while it seemed Basco was saying something along those lines, they couldn’t confirm it. “There was a cross and a sign in Mr. Bobby’s yard that read ‘Jesus is Lord.’ Whether that had any influence on his actions, I can’t say for sure. It’s just a question that lingers in my mind.”
He remarked that the incident was a deeply tragic event that could have occurred for no discernible reason.
Despite no significant criminal history, other than minor traffic offenses, the sheriff commented that Basco might have been struggling with some mental health issues or factors that clouded his judgment.
McGill and his wife were described as “very good citizens” by the sheriff.
In a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, McGill’s granddaughter expressed, “My Papaw loved the Lord above all else & he loved his family with his whole heart. What a great man.” She shared how McGill lived his life as an example of faith, emphasizing that conversations with him often included mentions of Jesus. “His faith became sight this morning,” she noted, reflecting on their hope of reuniting in the afterlife while urging prayers for the family amid this painful time.
