ALDERSON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – An Alderson man is facing charges after allegedly firing a rifle inside his home, claiming he was defending himself from a nonexistent intruder.
According to the victim, 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 said Gibson began acting paranoid and erratic, appearing to be under the influence of narcotics. He allegedly told her that people were after him, behavior she described as consistent with methamphetamine use.
Once home, Gibson allegedly retrieved an AR-15-style rifle from the bedroom closet and continued his erratic behavior. Smith told authorities that he then began laughing while firing rounds into their bed, with her juvenile son also present in the house.
The victim provided police with the .22 caliber AR-15 rifle Gibson allegedly used and showed them three bullet holes in the bed, along with spent shell casings on the blankets.
After being read his Miranda rights, Gibson admitted to firing the rifle multiple times inside the home, claiming he believed someone named “Jerry” was under the bed trying to harm him—which was quickly determined to be false.
Gibson later confessed to using “Speed” earlier that evening, a street name for crystal methamphetamine, which he said led to his erratic behavior.
He is out on bond after being charged with wanton endangerment.
