Tactical
Home Security Video Shows Armed Intruder’s Blunder with Unloaded Gun
A terrifying encounter with an armed intruder was captured on surveillance footage at a residence in McDowell County, North Carolina. The couple residing in the home shared the chilling footage, featuring an individual identified as Tyler Messer, with local media and authorities.
Standing on their back porch, Messer was recorded as he pointed an unloaded rifle at the couple, who were inside their dwelling at the time.
Preston McHone, one of the homeowners, detailed the spine-chilling event to WLOS:
“As I’m folding one towel, I have my phone lying in front of me and I see an alert that there’s some motion on the back. So, I just turn around and yell, ‘Billy, there’s somebody at our back door with a gun,’”
The incident occurred around 11 p.m., with Messer still present on the porch, appearing to attempt to fire his weapon. Audio captured by the surveillance video failed to register any gunshot sounds, suggesting the gun’s chamber was empty. It’s still unknown whether the gun simply misfired, as local news outlets have speculated.
Messer can be seen inspecting his weapon after the failed trigger pull, before hastily departing from the scene.
The suspect’s motivations remain uncertain. Official documents from the law enforcement investigation describe Messer as having mental health issues.
“Defendant is mentally ill. Defendant stated to family that he was going to rid the world of sin,” states the McDowell County Magistrate Bail Explanation Form.
McHone further dissected the eerie encounter, stating:
“As he pulls the trigger, he turns and, in that short turn, he’s realizing it didn’t go off because he’s supposed to, at that point, have shot [my partner] and would be turning towards me. He didn’t follow through because he missed one step, and that was loading his weapon.”
After the unnerving incident, the couple took shelter within their home, anxiously waiting for the police to arrive. They were soon informed that it wasn’t Messer’s first visit to their property. Over the past year, he had allegedly shown up at their residence three different times, reportedly searching for his father – a man the couple claims not to know.
Following the incident, the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office charged Messer with assault by pointing a gun, first-degree trespassing, and stalking, and his bail was set at $200,000. Two days later, the 29-year-old’s charges were elevated to include attempted murder.
Watch the chilling moment below:
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
A safe home does not require expensive upgrades or complicated systems. Many of the most effective changes are simple steps you can take right now. Whether you are preparing for a storm, a power outage, or everyday security issues, knowing how to strengthen your home quickly can give you immediate peace of mind. These five actions take only minutes, but each one cuts down real risks and helps protect the people and belongings you care about.
1. Improve Your Exterior Lighting
Poor lighting makes it easier for accidents and break-ins to happen. Adding bright bulbs to porches, pathways, and driveways is one of the fastest ways to reduce danger. Motion-sensor lights are inexpensive and use very little electricity. Good lighting keeps you from tripping in the dark and makes your home less inviting to anyone with bad intentions.
2. Check and Strengthen Your Locks
Many people assume their locks are secure until they actually test them. Walk through your home and check every door and window. Make sure each one closes fully and locks tightly. If any lock feels loose, replace it or tighten the screws. Installing a simple deadbolt on exterior doors adds a major layer of protection. Even a small upgrade can stop forced entry attempts.
3. Remove Common Indoor Hazards
Home accidents often start with everyday items that people overlook. Clear walkways, secure loose rugs, organize power cords, and remove anything that blocks exits. Check that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors work and have fresh batteries. A few minutes of hazard removal can prevent falls, fires, or smoke-related emergencies.
4. Create a Simple Emergency Plan
During a crisis, confusion and panic cause more harm than the event itself. Make a basic plan that covers where you will meet, how you will communicate, and which items you would grab in an evacuation. Keep a small emergency kit in an easy-to-reach spot. A clear plan allows you to act quickly instead of scrambling in the moment.
5. Reinforce Entry Points
Windows and doors are the first places that fail during break-ins and strong storms. Adding simple reinforcements helps keep your home secure. Install window locks or wooden rods to prevent sliding windows from opening. Secure your garage door by engaging the manual lock. Place a doorstop or wedge behind vulnerable doors for added strength. Small changes can significantly increase resistance during emergencies.
Final Thoughts
Home safety starts with awareness and small improvements that add up quickly. By increasing light, checking locks, removing hazards, planning ahead, and reinforcing entry points, you create a safer environment for both everyday life and unexpected emergencies. You do not need expensive systems to protect your home. You just need a few smart steps and the habit of staying prepared.
When life gets unpredictable, the most valuable tool you can carry isn’t a gadget or a stockpile — it’s a skill. The right skills turn fear into focus and confusion into action. They help you stay steady when others panic, and they give you choices when things start to fall apart.
Here are five survival skills that genuinely put you back in control, no matter what kind of crisis you face.
1. Knowing How to Stay Warm the Smart Way
Survival isn’t always about the cold — it’s about losing heat faster than you can replace it.
Most people instinctively reach for more clothing, but the real skill is understanding heat management:
- Layer light clothing instead of heavy pieces
- Keep your core warm above everything else
- Block wind before adding warmth
- Stay dry — moisture is the real enemy
Once you understand how your body loses heat, you’re no longer at the mercy of the weather. You can stay warm with less gear, fewer resources, and far more confidence.
2. The Ability to Find or Purify Water Anywhere
Water goes from “background convenience” to “critical priority” very quickly in a crisis.
Knowing how to locate water — and make it safe — puts you in control in ways most people overlook.
Useful methods include:
- Collecting rainwater safely
- Using common household items (coffee filters, bleach, boiling)
- Identifying safe natural sources
- Avoiding contaminated runoff
Even simple techniques can transform questionable water into something drinkable. Skill beats equipment here.
3. Staying Calm When Everyone Else is Losing Their Head
The most powerful survival skill isn’t physical — it’s mental.
Panic narrows your vision. Calm thinking widens your options.
People who stay calm can:
- Communicate clearly
- Make better decisions
- Notice escape routes others miss
- Work through problems step by step
This is the skill that makes every other skill work. You don’t need superhuman nerves — just practice, breathing control, and a habit of slowing down before you react.
4. Basic First Aid You Can Use Immediately
You don’t need to be a medic to save a life.
A handful of basic skills — stopping bleeding, cooling burns, spotting infection, supporting a sprain — can change the outcome of an emergency dramatically.
Most people freeze because they’re unsure what to do.
Learning even a few practical steps puts you in control when someone gets hurt and professional help is still far away.
5. Knowing How to Create Light, Signal, or Get Attention
Darkness is disorienting. Silence is even worse.
If you can create light or send a signal, you regain control over your surroundings.
A few valuable abilities include:
- Using reflective surfaces to signal
- Knowing how to start a safe fire
- Making noise that carries distance
- Using everyday items (flashlights, whistles, phones) efficiently
Light and sound turn you from “isolated” to “visible,” and visibility is power in any crisis.
Final Thought
Control doesn’t come from luck. It comes from preparation you can use anywhere — skills that stay with you whether you’re at home, on the road, or caught in a situation you never expected.
When you understand how to think clearly, stay warm, find water, treat injuries, and get attention when needed, you’re not just surviving… you’re directing the moment.
Not every dangerous moment involves a direct confrontation. Sometimes the real threat is confusion, panic, or not knowing what to grab when you need to react fast. Your home already has simple items that can help you stay oriented, stay calm, and get out safely if something goes wrong — whether it’s a break-in, a fire, or any unexpected emergency.
Here are five everyday things that can quietly strengthen your safety plan without feeling like “preparedness gear.”
1. A Pair of Shoes You Can Slip On Fast
This sounds almost too simple, but it’s one of the most overlooked safety tools in any house.
If you need to leave in a hurry — even just to get outside and call for help — you don’t want to waste time with laces or walk barefoot over broken glass, cold pavement, or debris. Keep a sturdy slip-on pair by your bed. It’s a small habit that can make a huge difference.
2. A Charged Old Phone
Even a disconnected phone can still call 911.
If you have an old smartphone in a drawer, charge it and leave it in your bedroom or a hidden spot. During an emergency, your main phone might be out of reach, dead, or taken. Having a backup gives you a second chance to call for help.
3. A Mini Flashlight on Your Nightstand
Power outages often happen at the worst moments. A small flashlight helps you see where you’re stepping, find your keys, or check on a noise without stumbling around in the dark. It also helps you avoid tripping hazards if you need to move quickly. Choose a compact LED one and keep it in the same spot every night.
4. A Loud Whistle
If you can’t shout, or your voice doesn’t carry far, a whistle can be your lifeline.
It cuts through walls, hallways, and even outdoor distance better than yelling. Whether you’re trying to alert a neighbor, scare off an intruder, or signal for help during a medical emergency, a whistle is one of the most underrated tools for personal safety.
5. A Written “Quick Escape Plan”
You don’t need blueprints — just a simple index card taped inside a drawer or next to your nightstand.
Write down:
• Your fastest exit routes
• Where your keys always stay
• Where your phone and flashlight stay
• A reminder to put on shoes
• Who to call first
In a panic, people forget steps. A small card keeps your mind focused and your actions clear.
Final Thought
Self-protection starts long before danger shows up. It’s not about preparing for a fight — it’s about preparing to move, think, and react in a way that keeps you safe.
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Kent Kuhaneck
May 1, 2024 at 11:11 am
Lucky home owner’s, stupid kid that didn’t know his rifle,ammo, magazine?
Catch the kid,put in jail ! Let him think about what he has done!
Jeff Boggs
May 1, 2024 at 2:00 pm
My “Safety Plan” is to have my permanent guests, “Smith & Wesson”, neutralize the armed intruder, then call the Sheriff. This is NOT the U.K. where residents have to run or hide from intruders, this is America where God given rights are exercised & protected!!!!