Murder charge filed against suspect in beating death of owner of Trump-themed home

The victim, Kerry Sheron, died four days after he was beaten outside his house.

A murder charge was announced Wednesday by California prosecutors against the suspect in the beating death of a 69-year-old man known for displaying American flags and Make America Great Again memorabilia in his front yard.

The charges against Thomas Caleb Butler, 32, a Navy veteran, were amended as a result of the victim, Kerry George Sheron, dying days after he was injured in the May 20 incident outside his home in Escondido, California, that neighbors dubbed the "Trump House."

Butler was initially charged by the San Diego District Attorney's Office with attempted murder, to which he pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on May 22.

Sheron, whose family described him a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, was pronounced dead on May 24, four days after he was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced in a statement on Wednesday that her office has now filed a murder charge against Butler.

"The violent assault and murder of Kerry Sheron outside his own home has left his family and community shaken and grieving for the veteran's senseless loss of life," Stephan said, describing Sheron's death as the result of the "brutal May 20 assault."

Prosecutors allege that Butler punched Sheron, causing him to collapse, then punched him several more times after Sheron was on the ground.

"My office has filed a murder charge along with related charges against the perpetrator and will seek justice and accountability under the law while providing support for the victim's family," Stephan said.

Stephan said the investigation will continue to "seek answers to the relevant aspects of this case."

If convicted, Butler faces a sentence of 28 years to life in prison, according to the DA.

Butler, who is being held without bail at the San Diego County Jail, is scheduled to be arraigned on the murder count on Friday. The defendant's court hearing on Wednesday morning was canceled.

It was unclear if Butler has hired an attorney or has been appointed one by the court.

Police have yet to comment on a possible motive, but are investigating whether there may have been "a political component," according to an Escondido Police Department spokesperson.

In a GoFundMe campaign that as of Wednesday has raised nearly $60,000 to cover Sheron's funeral expenses, family members called the incident that claimed Sheron's life "brutal and unprovoked."

Escondido police said the incident unfolded around 2:14 p.m. local time on May 20, when officers were called to Sheron's home to investigate a report that an assault had just occurred.

"Upon arrival, officers located an elderly male suffering from significant injuries," police said in a statement. "A bystander who intervened during the incident was also injured. Officers learned the suspect had fled the area on foot prior to their arrival."

Officers immediately searched Sheron's neighborhood and located Butler, who matched the description of the person witnesses said attacked Sheron, according to the police statement.

According to military service records provided by the Navy to ABC News, Butler enlisted in the Navy in December 2011. He served as an information systems technician and was discharged in January 2023, records show.

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