Military.com has learned that a Navy veteran faces attempted murder charges after allegedly committing a brutal attack in Escondido, Calif., against a 69-year-old Army veteran who is a huge supporter of President Donald Trump.
Thomas Caleb Butler, 32, a U.S. Navy veteran and resident of Escondido, was taken into custody this week without incident and booked at the Vista Detention Facility for attempted murder. A San Diego County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson told Military.com on Friday that Butler was set to appear at a local courthouse at 1 p.m. local time for his arraignment.
The victim is 69-year-old Kerry Sheron, known in his community as inhabiting a home with his wife that is covered in American flags and has been dubbed the “Trump house.” Sheron was transported to a local hospital and is currently listed in critical condition.
“At this time, detectives are evaluating all potential motives for the assault, including whether the incident may have had a political component,” Escondido Police Lt. Lee Stewart told Military.com on Friday. “However, we have not developed evidence to support that conclusion.”
Detectives are actively reviewing any possible prior incidents and reports at the location that may be related to or have contributed to the circumstances of this case, Stewart added.
The incident, according to Escondido Police, occurred at approximately 2:14 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20. Officers responded to a call of an assault that occurred in the area of East Mission Avenue and Buchanan Street, finding upon arrival an elderly male suffering from significant injuries. A bystander who intervened during the incident was also injured.
Police found that a suspect related to the incident had fled the area on foot prior to their arrival. Following an area search, officers located an individual matching the suspect’s description near East Mission Avenue and Begonia Street. That individual was Butler.
Victim’s Political Allegiance Tied to Attack
Kerry Sheron’s deep admiration for President Trump has been directly attributed to the attack, at least according to his wife.
Maria Moreno told NBC 7 San Diego that she and her husband, who is a cook at a nearby senior center, are threatened all the time and that people don’t like their home. But differences in politics have never led to violence, until now.
“My heart is so big that I pray for everyone,” said Moreno, wearing a ‘Make Lying Wrong Again’ hat. “I ask God to bless us all and give us strength to continue moving forward.”
She told Fox 5 San Diego that the attack was provoked by “political stuff.” She also said she’s not optimistic about her husband’s recovery.
A neighbor told the outlet that Sheron and Moreno stand outside their property for an hour nearly every morning, waving flags as part of a pro-Trump demonstration that sometimes gets passers-by to comment or honk their car horns. Another neighbor who said he disagrees with the couple political views hugged Moreno and said there was no place for violence in their community.
The New York Post reported from the perspective of a friend of Butler’s, who told the publication that the suspect now facing serious criminal charges “liked” the house—which Butler lived mere blocks away from.
The friend added that Butler was a Republican who supported Trump. Military.com could not confirm such statements.
“This is the guy that plays with Legos and Star Wars stuff,” the friend told the Post, adding that Butler has “severe PTSD” and intense paranoia that began following his naval career.
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