Updated

Updated · Fox News · Oct 20

Mississippi Home Intruder Kills 81-Year-Old Man, Dies After Self-Inflicted Gunshot

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Oct 20

Mississippi Home Intruder Kills 81-Year-Old Man, Dies After Self-Inflicted Gunshot

Q: How did a Mississippi homeowner's own bedside weapon become the tragic instrument of his death during a 4 a.m. attack?

It became the instrument of his death because, during the 4 a.m. home invasion, the intruder allegedly overpowered Bobby McGill in a struggle and took control of McGill’s own pistol before firing it at him. According to Union County Sheriff Jimmy Edwards, 81-year-old McGill had kept the gun near the foot of the bed or in a nearby drawer for protection. When Eric Basco broke into the home while McGill and his wife were asleep, McGill tried to fight him off and reach the weapon. Investigators say that effort failed when Basco got the gun first or wrested it away during the confrontation. Authorities said Basco then shot McGill multiple times with that pistol. Peggy McGill managed to escape and call 911. Basco later went into a bathroom and shot himself; he later died at a hospital. Investigators believe burglary was the likely motive, though they are also reviewing possible signs of a religious angle because of video and items found at the property. Sheriff Edwards said there is no confirmed evidence yet that religion directly motivated the attack. The central fact in answering how this happened is that the homeowner’s defensive weapon was not secured beyond immediate reach during a violent struggle, and the intruder was able to seize it and use it against him.

2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 20

Union County authorities said Bobby McGill, 81, was shot multiple times with his own pistol after an intruder broke into his home around 4 a.m. and struggled with him in his bedroom.
Peggy McGill escaped the house and called 911, while investigators say the assailant, Eric Basco, went into a bathroom and shot himself; he later died at a hospital.
A video recorded the night before, about 1.5 miles from the home, appears to show Basco shouting "God is dead," prompting investigators to question — but not confirm — whether a religious motive played any role.
Sheriff Jimmy Edwards said Basco had no criminal history beyond minor traffic violations and suggested mental instability, while family members remembered McGill as a devoted Christian and community member.