TV weatherman recovering after being shot in the chest with a crossbow during home invasion



Gerald Taylor is accused of breaking into an Ashworth Court home and attacking owner Robert Batot

A Tennessee man has been charged with attempted murder after shooting a TV weatherman in the chest with a crossbow during a home invasion.

Gerald Delbert Taylor, 53, from Johnson City, is accused of breaking into the home he once shared with Robert William Batot, 43, and firing a crossbow bolt into Batot's chest during an altercation.

Batot fleed the house as Taylor also fired at him with a 9mm handgun, missing him with every shot.

Batot, who uses the name Rob Williams when working as a meteorologist for WJHL Channel 11, still had the bolt sticking out of his chest when police arrived on the scene after the attack early on Monday morning.

It is unclear why Taylor launched such a vicious attack against Batot, but the TV personality had taken out a restraining order against Taylor in May.

In court details for that order or protection, Batot alleged that Taylor had earlier vandalised his car - slashing the tyres - had stolen from him, and had threatened to kill him on precious occasions.

Taylor, who had been staying at a local motel after being evicted from Batot's house, had allegedly threatened to ruin Batot's reputation, before threatening to kill Badot and then himself.



On duty: Robert Batot presenting the Channel 11 weather, where he goes by the name of Rob Williams

The restraining order prevented Taylor from going to Batot's Ashworth Court home or his place of work at Channel 11.

Taylor has now been charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated burglary and violation of an order of protection.



The attack occurred at Williams' home before 4am on Monday.



Police said Taylor broke into the house through a window and shot Williams with the crossbow when the home owner confronted him.

Taylor is then said to have fired several shots from a 9mm handgun as Williams tried to run from the house. But all bullets fired from the weapon missed their target.

Police claim Taylor fled the house after firing the weapons and was found by police on a dock nearby Batot's waterside property.



He was still holding the handgun, arresting officers claim, and was subdued with the use of a Taser after a brief confrontation.

Batot is recovering in hospital and has posted a statement on his Facebook page about the incident.

