ALDERSON, WV– An Alderson man is facing charges for allegedly firing a rifle inside his home while claiming to be defending himself against a nonexistent intruder.
The victim said she picked up her boyfriend, James Gibson, from Walmart in Lewisburg around 11 p.m. on February 21, 2025. During the drive home to Wayside Creamery Road in Alderson, she claims Gibson became paranoid and erratic, as if he was under the influence of drugs. He allegedly told her that people were after him, which she described as typical of methamphetamine use.
Gibson allegedly returned home, retrieved an AR-15-style rifle from the bedroom closet, and resumed his erratic behavior. Smith told police that he then began laughing while firing rounds into their bed, with her juvenile son present.
The victim gave police the.22 caliber AR-15 rifle Gibson allegedly used and showed them three bullet holes in the bed, as well as spent shell casings on the blankets.
After being read his Miranda rights, Gibson admitted to firing the rifle several times inside the house, claiming that someone named “Jerry” was under the bed attempting to harm him—which was quickly proven to be false.
Gibson later admitted to using “Speed” earlier that evening, a street name for crystal methamphetamine, which he claimed contributed to his erratic behavior.
