Monday, June 29, 2009

Murfreesboro Resident’s Swim Interrupted By Rifle-Wielding Intruder

   A resident of Murfreesboro who had come to Lawrence Count to enjoy some time on a creek bank reported she found herself staring down the barrel of a rifle while an intruder spewed threats against her Saturday.

   According to reports filed through the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were dispatched to a property on New Hope Road in the Five Points area around 6:00 p.m. where they spoke with the daughter of the property owner. She told deputies that she had come to her father’s property to spend some time swimming in the creek.

   The victim, age 21, indicated that she looked up at one point and a “creepy” man was crouched in the brush pointing a rifle at her. She reported that he “had the scope to his eye, ready to shoot.” When she called out to the man, she said he stood up and stated, “I’m gonna shoot you – your on private property.”

   The victim told deputies she asked the man to put the gun down, but that he stated, “I know how to put it down, and I sure know how to put it up.” Although she made attempts to put the man at ease, the woman said he continued to be agitated, stating that the gun was loaded and ready to shoot her. He reportedly told her that he “could shoot her and nobody would know because the sheriff had told him to not bother harming anyone – to just shoot them dead and he would pick up the bodies.” She said he repeated this fact six or seven times throughout the course of their conversation.

   The victim told deputies she was afraid to turn to leave, fearing that he might shoot her in the back. Instead she continued to talk to the man, eventually convincing him that she meant him no harm. Afterwards he reportedly left the premises.

   The matter has currently been turned over for thorough investigation by detectives with the department’s Criminal Investigation Division. Anyone who has information regarding the incident should contact the department at 762-3626.