© unknownGerald Taylor is accused of breaking into an Ashworth Court home and attacking owner Robert Batot
Gerald Delbert Taylor, 53, from Johnson City, is accused of breaking into the home he once shared with Robert William Batot, 43, and firing a crossbow bolt into Batot's chest during an altercation.
Batot fleed the house as Taylor also fired at him with a 9mm handgun, missing him with every shot.
Batot, who uses the name Rob Williams when working as a meteorologist for WJHL Channel 11, still had the bolt sticking out of his chest when police arrived on the scene after the attack early on Monday morning.
It is unclear why Taylor launched such a vicious attack against Batot, but the TV personality had taken out a restraining order against Taylor in May.
In court details for that order or protection, Batot alleged that Taylor had earlier vandalised his car - slashing the tyres - had stolen from him, and had threatened to kill him on precious occasions.
Taylor, who had been staying at a local motel after being evicted from Batot's house, had allegedly threatened to ruin Batot's reputation, before threatening to kill Badot and then himself.
The restraining order prevented Taylor from going to Batot's Ashworth Court home or his place of work at Channel 11.
© unknownOn duty: Robert Batot presenting the Channel 11 weather, where he goes by the name of Rob Williams
The attack occurred at Williams' home before 4am on Monday.
Police said Taylor broke into the house through a window and shot Williams with the crossbow when the home owner confronted him.
Taylor is then said to have fired several shots from a 9mm handgun as Williams tried to run from the house. But all bullets fired from the weapon missed their target.
Police claim Taylor fled the house after firing the weapons and was found by police on a dock nearby Batot's waterside property.
He was still holding the handgun, arresting officers claim, and was subdued with the use of a Taser after a brief confrontation.
Batot is recovering in hospital and has posted a statement on his Facebook page about the incident.
On the Channel 11 website, Batot has thanked everyone for their concern, and is helping the police with their investigation.
Unlike Movies-a prototypical gunfight
"Taylor is then said to have fired several shots from a 9mm handgun as Williams tried to run from the house. But all bullets fired from the weapon missed their target."
WHAT AN IDIOT! The evil burglar psychopath, who had previously threatened to kill him, and against whom he had a restraining order, BREAKS INTO HIS HOME, AND shoots HIM with a crossbow while he is holding (I presume) a 9 mm pistol???
I'd say it's an 95% chance that he tried to talk to the psycho while one held the ONE! shot crossbow and the other a 7 to 20 round pistol. (ALSO, ANYONE would rather get shot with a crossbow.)
The victim could have ended all his problems right before then (and also saved we taxpayers a lot of money.) But perhaps he had faith in the US system of "justice." It used to exist but is being killed daily. Fortunately, one still has the right to kill wacko attackers in one's home.
Or perhaps he had a fear of "our" "justice" system's misapplication, which happens daily, and NOT by accident.
R.C.