Erick Shute, former frontman of death metal band Pyrexia, has been arrested and charged with the alleged murder of three individuals this Monday.
As Loudwire reports, Shute claims self-defense but fled his West Virginia home after the incident. The men, Jack Douglas, Travis and Willie Bartley were reportedly cutting wood on their property adjacent to Shute's, apparently having had disagreements with Shute in the past.
Shute reportedly shot at the three men with an AR-15 assault rifle from behind an oak tree "20 to 25 yards out".
Though they have since been removed, Shute posted a number of statements on his Facebook claiming self-defense.
"This was self defense. I talked to a cop and he even agreed this is an open and shut case of self defense and that they probably won’t even pursue charges. I am just waiting to talk to the prosecutor. I have nothing to hide. Media can contact me on my cell. I am open to talk.
"These guys stole over $20,000 pf [sic] my stuff and sold it for drugs and threatened to my face before. They even unscrewed [sic] brake lines while [I] was asleep. Everyone not on drugs on the mountain hates them. These are known thieves and drug addicts," he wrote.
Pyrexia have made a statement following the arrest of their former singer, writing, "We are shocked and saddened to learn that our former singer Erick has been involved in what seems to be a shooting by his own hands."
They allege that Shute "had obscure views and was an odd and quiet person at times" and that "no one saw this in him".
