A West Virginia man was subject to arrest after he chased his family with an ax and tried to shoot them with a bow and arrow to “get the demons out” of them. Johnny Carlson York Jr., 45, was taken into custody after he admitted to police that he was intentionally trying to kill them at their home in Bramwell to rid them of evil spirits he believed were possessing them, FOX59 reports.
- York’s family called the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office to report his alarming behavior. While the family initially called police for help getting him under control, emergency dispatchers soon had to step in when York picked up the bow and arrow. Deputies arrived at the property soon after.
- It all started when a family member asked York to put some stuff in a shed before the rain came. At that point, York is said to have thrown a lighter at the family member and chased them with a maul. His parents called 911, which is when York picked up the bow and arrow.
- The family already had a Domestic Violence Prevention Order against York. They took it out earlier that day when York broke a TV earlier that same day, but the order hadn’t been served at the time of this incident.
- York needed to be taken off the streets. When he was booked into the Southern Regional Jail on charges of malicious assault, brandishing, and destruction of property, Yor told authorities that “I had to kill them to get the demons out” and “I feel like I have to kill everyone I see.” Hopefully they are calling in psychiatric help as well, which he clearly needs. His bond was set at $10,000, cash only, and he appears to still be in custody at this time. It’s unclear when he will next appear in court.
