Scottsdale man accused of shooting door-to-door salesman in the back
AZ man accused of shooting door-to-door-salesman
An 80-year-old Scottsdale man was arrested, police say, after he allegedly shot a man whole he was knocking on doors to solicit customers. FOX 10's Taylor Wirtz reports.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - A man is in the hospital after Scottsdale Police say he was shot while knocking on doors to solicit customers.
What we know:
80-year-old Patrick McBride appeared in court on Sept. 14, after police say he shot a man soliciting customers in his neighborhood near Pima and Hawknest roads. Police found the victim on the afternoon of Sept. 13 with a gunshot wound to his back. The man was taken to the hospital and is stable, but told police he couldn't feel his legs after the shooting.
Court documents say McBride’s wife called 911, telling dispatchers her husband shot the man, but she didn't know why. The victim says he was riding a Segway door-to-door for a window washing service. He says after McBride told him to leave the private community, he rode away, but stayed nearby to look for a lost wallet. That's when he says McBride approached yelling, pulled a handgun, and shot him as he tried to leave.
The other side:
McBride told detectives he has plenty of experience with firearms.
"I graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1968 and then served in the Air Force for four years," McBride said during his first appearance in court.
McBride claims he grew suspicious upon meeting the man, and found him still at the neighborhood gate minutes later. He says the man rode toward him with a cell phone raised. Fearing for his safety, McBride drew his weapon. He told police he only meant to swipe the man's hand away with his gun hand, but the weapon accidentally went off.
Police noted the gun's trigger guard was cracked. McBride admitted to pocketing the shell casing to preserve evidence.
What we don't know:
The victim wasn't identified.
What's next:
McBride faces charges of aggravated assault, a class three felony, and disorderly conduct involving deadly weapons or dangerous instruments, a class six felony. He is being held on a $150,000 bond.
McBride's next court date is Sept. 21.
Map of where the shooting happened:
The Source: Information in this report was gathered from the Scottsdale Police Department and court documents.