A Tennessee man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly cutting power to a school board member’s home, luring him outside and opening fire.
Man Accused of Setting Trap
According to investigators, 46-year-old Benjamin Mills allegedly shut off the electricity at the home of 62-year-old Steve Blanken in Grainger County during the early hours of March 8.
After noticing the power was out despite neighboring homes still having electricity, Blanken went outside to check the breakers. Police say the power was turned off multiple times, causing him to repeatedly leave the house.
Shots Fired Outside Home
Authorities allege that when Blanken went outside for a final time, Mills confronted him near a chicken coop and fired a gun.
Blanken reportedly ran toward his truck as additional shots were fired, with one bullet striking the vehicle’s windshield. He escaped to a neighbor’s house and called 911.
Wife Also Confronted
Investigators said Mills then entered the home and confronted Blanken’s wife. She told deputies the intruder pointed what appeared to be a gun at her, called her husband a pedophile and ordered her to lie on the floor before taking her phone and fleeing.
Police later recovered the phone and arrested Mills.
Multiple Charges Filed
Mills has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated burglary, kidnapping and theft.
Blanken, a local school board member, is separately facing criminal charges unrelated to the shooting incident. Authorities have not announced a court date for Mills.
