Arizona Homeowner Accused of Shooting Door-to-Door Salesman in Self-Defense Claim

An 80-year-old homeowner from Scottsdale, Arizona, is facing serious legal charges after allegedly shooting a door-to-door salesman who had asked for water at his home. The incident occurred on Sunday when the victim, riding an electric Segway scooter and offering window-washing services, stopped by Patrick McBride's gated community.

According to police reports, the salesman approached McBride’s residence and rang the doorbell, asking for a glass of water after working in the neighborhood. McBride became suspicious of the man's presence and warned him about entering his private community. As the salesman left on his Segway, McBride claims he believed the individual was taking pictures or recording him with their cellphone.

About ten minutes later, McBride and his wife devised a plan to ensure that the salesman had indeed left the neighborhood. McBride retrieved his handgun from a safe where it was typically stored and proceeded south while his wife drove north in search of the Segway rider. When McBride spotted the man again, he yelled at him to leave.

The affidavit obtained by Law&Crime reveals conflicting accounts of what transpired next. According to McBride, as the salesman approached on his Segway with increasing speed and raised his right hand holding a cellphone, McBride felt threatened and drew his firearm while stepping to the side. He claims that during their collision, his gun went off accidentally.

However, the victim's version differs significantly. The injured man told police he saw McBride pull out his handgun as he was turning away from him before being shot in the back.

The shooting left the salesman with a spinal injury and loss of feeling below the waist. He remains hospitalized but is reported to be in stable condition. McBride, who is alleged to have picked up the shell casing after the incident to preserve evidence, admitted to feeling fearful but claimed he did not intend to shoot the victim.

McBride, an Air Force Academy graduate with training in handgun and rifle use, has maintained that his actions were in self-defense. He was taken into custody on a $150,000 bond pending further investigation and legal proceedings.

This case highlights ongoing debates about the legality of using lethal force for perceived threats and raises questions about how such incidents are investigated and adjudicated in jurisdictions with varying gun laws.