Kerry Sheron, a 69-year-old Army veteran and owner of a residence in the San Diego area known locally as the “Trump House,” was critically injured in an assault near his home. His wife later told reporters that Sheron’s chances of recovery are slim to none.
Escondido police responded to reports of an assault in progress around 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday. Upon arrival, officers found Sheron suffering from severe injuries, while a utility worker who intervened kept the suspect restrained.
Sheron was transported to a trauma center, where he remained in critical condition in the ICU as of Thursday evening.
Sheron’s wife stated that her husband is not expected to survive the injuries. In a statement, she described his chances of recovering as having “no hope” following the assault, according to a report from the New York Post.
JUST IN: The wife of the elderly “Trump House” owner who was attacked in California says her husband is not expected to survive.
Maria Sheron says there is “no hope” for her husband, Kerry, who was brutally beaten outside his home.
Sheron, a 69-year-old Army veteran, is known… pic.twitter.com/TreeZEXVOX
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 21, 2026
The property owned by Sheron has become a local landmark due to its extensive displays of American flags, Trump-related memorabilia, and MAGA signage. According to Sheron’s Facebook page, the property experienced vandalism in March, including damaged flags.
The house is located in the Midway-East neighborhood of Escondido, which is part of the greater San Diego area.
Thomas Caleb Butler, 32, was arrested at the scene and booked into the Vista Detention Facility on charges of first-degree attempted murder. He is not eligible for bail and was scheduled for arraignment on Friday. If convicted, he faces the possibility of life in prison
Butler is a Navy veteran who served several years before becoming unemployed. A family friend described him as suffering from severe PTSD, noting that his condition was debilitating when not properly medicated. The friend portrayed Butler as someone who enjoyed activities like playing with Legos and Star Wars items, and said he experienced intense paranoia.
Butler lived only blocks away from Sheron’s residence.
According to the family friend, Butler had expressed that he “liked” the Trump House and supported President Donald Trump. He was also registered to vote as a republican.
Police have stated that they believe Butler did not know Sheron personally and that the attack does not appear to be politically motivated. The investigation is ongoing as of this report.
