Intruder breaks into home, attacks man in wheelchair with weed killer, NC cops say

A man in a wheelchair came under attack in his home when an intruder began using toxic weed killer as a weapon, according to investigators in eastern North Carolina.

It happened Friday, Feb. 27, at a home near Chadbourn, and a 76-year-old woman has been arrested as a suspect, the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office reported in court documents.

Wanda Avery is accused of “willfully” breaking into the home as the homeowner sat in his wheelchair, court documents say.

Avery then assaulted the man with “with a stool, shattered glass and Roundup weed killer,” the warrant says.

Details of the man’s injuries were not released.

Roundup herbicide contains glyphosate, which can cause eye, skin, nose and throat irritation, according to the National Pesticide Information Center. Ingestion of the chemical can be fatal, the center says.

Avery has been charged with felony first degree burglary and felony assault of an individual with disabilities, officials said. She lives in the Bolivia community (about 60 miles from Chadbourn), but does not have a permanent address, officials said.

A motive has not been released.

Chadbourn is about a 125-mile drive south from downtown Raleigh.