By Gil Aegerter, msnbc.com
A television meteorologist in Tennessee was shot with a crossbow by a man who had threatened to kill him and vandalized his car, according to media reports.
Robert William Batot, 43, known on the air for WJHL as Rob Williams, was wounded early Monday when Gerald D. Taylor, 53, broke into his home in Johnson City, the Johnson City Press reported, citing court documents and police. WJHL reported that Williams and Taylor had shared a house but Williams got a restraining order against him on May 29.
The Press report said that police were called to Williams' house early Monday and found him with the bolt, or arrow, fired from the crossbow sticking from his chest. Williams told police that Taylor broke into the house and shot him with the crossbow, then fired a pistol at him as he tried to escape.
Police said that they found Taylor sitting on a dock by the house and holding a pistol, and that after a brief standoff, officers used a Taser to subdue him, the Press reported.
The Press reported that in seeking the protection order, Williams alleged that Taylor had slashed his car tires and put water in his gas tank, and threatened to slander Williams and kill him. The source of the dispute was not apparent from the reports.
In a statement on WJHL's website, Williams said:
I wish to thank everyone for their concern as I recover.
I am working with police as they continue their investigation into this matter.
I’m looking forward to returning on air very soon.
Taylor was due in court on Tuesday morning on charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated burglary and violation of a protection order, WJHL reported.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
Follow US News on msnbc.com on Twitter and Facebook
