A 77-year-old West Virginia man is facing serious criminal charges, including attempted murder, after a terrifying domestic incident where he allegedly tried to break down a bedroom door with an axe to reach his wife, according to a newly filed criminal complaint. The attack, which police noted chillingly resembled a famous scene from the horror classic The Shining, unfolded at the suspect's home in Nitro on Monday.
Panicked 911 Call Leads to Dramatic Police Response
The incident began when Warren Crowder's wife made a frantic 911 call from inside their Nitro residence. She reported to dispatchers that she was barricaded inside a bedroom and that her husband was outside the door, violently attempting to break through it using an axe as a weapon. The complaint, obtained by media outlets, details that the terrified woman also told operators she could smell smoke and feared Crowder was attempting to start a fire within the home.
Scene Evokes Iconic Horror Film Moment
Upon arrival, officers observed the victim visibly hiding in fear through a window. Their attempts to gain peaceful entry by knocking were met with refusal from Crowder. Police stated they could also see the suspect actively trying to kick down the interior door to access his wife. Authorities have drawn a stark comparison between the real-life assault and the iconic 'Here's Johnny!' scene from Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, in which Jack Nicholson's character, Jack Torrance, uses an axe to break into a bathroom where his wife, Wendy, played by Shelley Duvall, is sheltering.
Gunfire and Arrest Details Emerge
The criminal complaint reveals that during the violent episode, Crowder admitted to firing a gun multiple times through the bedroom door. Investigators confirmed finding clear evidence of gunshots in the door itself and on a nearby wall. When questioned by police, Crowder allegedly stated he was 'angry' because his wife was 'hiding three or four feet in front of the door in a bed.' After Crowder refused to cooperate, law enforcement officers were forced to breach the home to make an arrest and ensure the victim's safety.
Formal Charges and Court Proceedings
Warren Crowder has been formally charged with one count of second-degree attempted murder and four counts of wanton endangerment, according to records from the Magistrate Court of Kanawha County. Following his arrest, he was transported to the South Central Regional Jail, where he is currently being held on a $50,000 cash-only bond. A preliminary hearing in his case is scheduled for February 11.
Background on the Accused and Location
Crowder, whose mugshot has been released, is reportedly a U.S. military veteran and formerly worked at a local thrift store, based on information from what appears to be his social media profile. The incident occurred in Nitro, a small suburban city situated along the Kanawha River, approximately 14 miles to the west of Charleston, West Virginia. The Nitro Police Department, which led the response, has been contacted for further comment on the ongoing investigation.
