Grandson Shot by Grandfather While Trying to Rob His Home
A man was shot by his grandfather while trying to rob his home in Long View, North Carolina.
Police said the victim had been home alone at a home on 38th Street NW when the masked suspect kicked in the door around 8 a.m. Thursday. The suspect reportedly assaulted the victim and demanded money, but the victim grabbed his gun and shot the suspect, who was later identified as his grandson, multiple times.
The grandson, identified by police as 34-year-old Jessie Gibson, fled on foot and was found in a nearby motel, where he had been staying, with nonlife-threatening injuries, according to police. It was at Lowman's Motor Court where Gibson's girlfriend called 911 for help.
As of Thursday afternoon, the grandson is in critical condition at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, said Major C.A. Morris of the Long View Police Department.
The victim also suffered facial and bodily injuries but was released from hospital Thursday afternoon. He informed police that he didn't know the home invader was his relative. Family members told WBTV that he was not aware he shot his grandson until after he had been treated for his own injuries.
The grandson and grandfather were rushed to the hospital, according to WSOC. Officials had reportedly tried to airlift Gibson due to the severity of his injuries but decided to take him by ambulance.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and that officials are looking into why Gibson needed the money. Some neighbors told WSOC that Gibson had told them he was struggling to pay his rent.
Newsweek reached out to the Long View Police Department for comment but did not hear back before publication.
Another family shooting took place last weekend in Florida when a teenager fatally shot his cousin and injured his aunt and grandfather. Ruben Warren Williams, 19, was arrested after the shooting rampage.
Police said a verbal dispute broke out between Williams and his grandfather after his grandfather tried to talk to him about drugs. Williams reportedly responded by shooting at his family members, killing his 27-year-old cousin, Carlton Tillman.
Williams' grandfather and aunt fled the home by jumping out one of the building's second-story windows. The grandfather broke both ankles in the fall and suffered gunshot wounds to his back, and the aunt had exit wounds to her upper extremities, according to police documents.
Both were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
Williams has been charged with second-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder, three counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon/ domestic violence, four counts of child abuse, kidnapping, carjacking and animal cruelty with intent to kill.
