photo credit: By Mike Focus // Shutterstock
Former firefighter Jeffrey Zeigler has been found guilty of assault with attempt to do great bodily harm and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, for firing a shotgun at 14-year-old high schooler who knocked on his door to ask for directions to school after missing the bus one morning back in April. Zeigler was initially charged with suspicion of assault with attempt to murder but the jury “determined Mr. Zeigler did not intend to kill Brennan Walker.”
When walking up to the home of Jeffrey Ziegler, Walker was met with a shotgun. A camera on Zeigler’s property shows the teen approaching the front door wearing his book bog. Minutes later, Walker can be seen running from the house, with Zeigler appearing from out of the house with a shotgun. Walker testified on Monday that Zeigler’s wife answered the front door, immediately accusing him of trying to break into the house. Hearing his wife yelling, Zeigler jumped out of bed, grabbed his shotgun and ran out to the porch. When Zeigler shot the gun, Walker was nearly out of the yard. Walker was not injured.
The gun charge will automatically come with a mandatory 2 years in jail, and the assault conviction can be anywhere from month to 10 years behind bars. The judge has revoked Zeigler’s bond, so he will remain in custody. His sentencing will take place November 13th.
Written by Clarke Jones
Source: NBC News