Owner of patriotic pro-Trump home in California dies from injuries in unprovoked attack, police say

Police arrested Thomas Caleb Butler, 32, and charged him with attempted murder, elder abuse, criminal threats and battery in connection to the assault on the patriotic Trump supporter.

Published: May 27, 2026 10:15am

A resident of southern California whose home was decorated in American flags and pro-Trump signs died from injuries he suffered after being assaulted outside his home. 

Kerry Sheron, 69, died on Sunday, according to San Diego police. Police arrested Thomas Caleb Butler, 32, and charged him with attempted murder, elder abuse, criminal threats and battery in connection to the assault on Sheron, NBC News reported

Sheron's wife told a local NBC affiliate that the couple had been harassed and threatened over the decorations, but they had never been assaulted. Authorities haven't said what prompted the assault. 

Butler and Sheron were residents of Escondido, a community north of San Diego. Butler was arraigned Friday and pleaded not guilty. He is being held without bail. 

According to Deputy District Attorney Ross Garcia, the May 20 assault was unprovoked. Garcia alleges that Butler struck Sheron once in the jaw. Sheron fell to the ground, and there were more blows to his head. It's unclear if Butler knew Sheron. 

Additional charges may be announced at Butler's next hearing. 

 

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