ONLY ON 3: Shooting suspect says victim molested him

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The suspect in a shooting near the UNCW campus last month says he was actually a victim.

Reginald Gagnier says he doesn’t remember shooting David Carroll, but he says Carroll is the reason why he can’t remember and the reason the shooting happened at all.

“I was sleeping in the car on the way to work, and I woke up to him sexually assaulting me, rubbing on my crotch,” Gagnier said.

Gagnier, 18, worked for and lived in an apartment owned by Carroll. Now Gagnier is in the New Hanover County Jail charged with shooting the 42-year-old in the shoulder July 29 at the Seahawk Square Apartments near the UNCW campus.

Last week Gagnier’s family told us there were personal problems between the two men that led to the shooting. Wednesday Gagnier said it was the molestation and other issues.

“Honestly I don’t think I would have shot him if he didn’t feed me valiums Friday and brought me to the bar and had me drinking on top of it,” Gagnier said.

Wednesday Carroll was in New Hanover County Small Claims Court to evict Gagnier from his apartment. When we tried to talk to him about Gagnier’s claims, Carroll said he had no comment.

Gagnier says he only remembers bits and pieces about the afternoon of the shooting, but he believes he was backed into a corner.

“I remember him coming to the apartment after he dropped me off and told me he had to talk to me,” Gagnier said. “So I went down and sat in his car, and he accused me of stealing some money. After that I don’t remember nothing else. I remember waking up in the woods.”

Gagnier is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury. His next court date is scheduled for August 18. Carroll told us he might share his side of the story after that hearing.