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Justin Barkley, 38, of Dryden, N.Y., reportedly said in an Ithaca, N.Y., court that he killed William Schumacher, 52, of Candor, N.Y., because he believes Schumacher was president-elect Donald Trump.

(cleveland.com file photo)

ITHACA, New York -- A man accused of killing a UPS driver outside a Walmart earlier this month said during a court appearance that he believes he killed president-elect Donald Trump, reports say.

Police say Justin Barkley, 38, of Dryden, N.Y., shot and killed William Schumacher, 52, of Candor, N.Y., on Dec. 8. in a Walmart parking lot, then ran over Schumacher with his vehicle. He later fired at police officers and was arrested after an eight-hour standoff at his home.

According to the Ithaca Voice, Barkley said during his court appearance that he staked out the Walmart because he knew Trump would be there.

"I shot and killed Donald Trump purposely, intentionally and very proudly," Barkley said, according to the Voice. "I went there to purposely shoot and kill him and put him down."

Barkley reportedly said he could not be convinced that he had not killed anyone other than Trump.

Barkley attempted to plead guilty to second-degree murder and menacing a police officer or peace officer, but Tompkins County Court Judge John Rowley rejected the plea, instead ordering Barkley be evaluated to determine whether he is competent to stand trial, the Ithaca Journal reports.

Barkley's next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 6.

According to the Journal, Schumacher was a seasonal UPS driver who had stopped at the Walmart to get something to eat during his overnight shift. Schumacher was shot at about 1 a.m.

Barkley is a former social worker at St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center and also worked at the Office of Children and Family Services' Finger Lakes Residential Center, North Country Now reports. He was not employed at either facility at the time of the shooting.

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