A geriatric gunman stands accused of fatally shooting a father in front of his three children in a deadly North Carolina road rage incident.
The tragic encounter unfolded Saturday evening, when Jeffery Michael Guida, 40, and his alleged killer, 75-year-old Eugene Giddens, both exited their vehicles arguing, according to witness accounts given to police. Guida's three children, ages 2, 11, and 13, were inside their father's vehicle as the confrontation escalated, with Giddens allegedly shooting a rifle, striking Guida and the vehicle.
"The children could have been injured or killed as well," Maj. Aaron Turk, of the Catawba County Sheriff's Office told WSOC. "Thankfully, that did not happen."
"The amount of violence that occurred," Turk continued, "seemingly from two people who didn't know each other, it shocked me personally."
Giddens was taken into custody and is charged with one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder. He appeared in court on Monday, where he claimed his family would hire a lawyer to represent him. Guida's family was present but did not make a statement.
Catawba County defense attorney Herb Pearce told WSOC that Glidden is less likely to receive the sympathy often allotted to senior citizens in the court room. "It's hard because the person has committed such a vile act and endangered children here."
"The guy is 75 years old," Pearce said. "If he is convicted of anything, he will die in prison."
Gidden is currently being held without bond.
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