In a shocking neighborhood altercation that quickly spiraled out of control, a 76-year-old woman was arrested after allegedly shoting her neighbor in the face with a signal gn during a heated dispute — an incident partially caught on video that’s now gone viral online.
The confrontation reportedly took place outside a quiet retirement community in North Carolina, where long-standing tension between neighbors had been simmering for months. Witnesses say the two had frequently argued over shared property boundaries, noise, and parking disputes. But on this particular afternoon, the argument took a violent turn.
Video footage shows the elderly woman, wearing a striped sweater, stepping out of her porch holding what appeared to be a flare or signal g*n. She can be heard shouting as the argument intensifies. Moments later, she raises the device and fires — striking her 64-year-old neighbor in the face from just a few feet away. A burst of smoke and a flash of light fill the air as shocked bystanders scream.
The victim immediately fell to the ground, clutching his face as others rushed to help. Emergency responders arrived within minutes, and the injured man was transported to a nearby hospital with burns and serious eye injuries. Doctors later confirmed that while the injuries were not life-threatening, the victim suffered partial vision loss.
“I never thought she’d actually pull the trigger,” said one stunned neighbor who witnessed the entire altercation. “They argued a lot, but we all thought it was just talk. Then she brought out that thing and fired it like it was a real weapon.”
Police arrested the woman without further incident. Officers said she appeared shaken but unapologetic, claiming she acted in self-defense. “He was yelling at me and walking toward me — I just wanted to scare him,” she allegedly told officers.
Authorities later confirmed that the weapon was indeed a signal g*n — a device typically used to fire flares, not bullets. However, police noted that such weapons can still cause severe burns or permanent damage when discharged at close range.
The woman has since been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and reckless endangerment. Police say they are also investigating whether prior harassment complaints between the two neighbors played a role in the escalation.
The bizarre nature of the case has drawn wide attention online, where social media users are divided. Some defended the woman’s claim of fear, while others condemned her reaction as reckless and unjustifiable. “You can’t just shoot someone because you’re angry — age doesn’t excuse violence,” one user wrote.
As the victim continues to recover, his family has spoken out, calling for accountability. “He’s lucky to be alive,” his daughter said. “All this over an argument that could’ve been avoided.”
The case stands as a stark reminder that even minor neighborhood feuds can erupt into serious violence when tempers and fear collide — and that not all “signal” weapons are as harmless as they seem.
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