The horrified wife of a Navy veteran accused of viciously beating the elderly owner of the San Diego-area “Trump House” described her husband’s dark past — and revealed that she now plans to divorce the “nerdy gamer”.
Breanna Butler, 32, told The California Post that her husband Thomas Caleb Butler, also 32, acted violently toward his family and dangerously mixed alcohol with his medication “frequently.”
Breanna had been separated from Thomas for two years due to his violent nature, which she attributed to his mental illness.
“[He] has a history of mental health illness, and it became violent for our family, so it was best we were in separate households,” said Breanna, who has a child with her soon-to-be ex and last spoke to hime three weeks ago.
“Every time we speak it’s very hostile.”
Thomas has been charged with the attempted murder of Kerry Sheron, 69, outside his Escondido home, which is adorned with tons of pro-Trump regalia and dozens of American flags.
Sheron was left in critical condition following the Wednesday afternoon attack, and his wife told the Post there’s “no hope” he’ll survive the brutal beating. He’s currently on life support at nearby Palomar Medical Center.
A family friend told the Post that Thomas suffered “severe PTSD” from his time in the armed forces and that he was a Republican who supported President Donald Trump.
Voting records in New York showed he was as registered Republican, but more recent records from 2023 in San Diego showed he registered as Democrat. The family friend said he believed Thomas to be a Trump supporter who “liked” the Trump House.
Breanna revealed that she and Thomas previously met the “Trump House” couple, walking by their home with their dogs and even exchanging pleasantries with the owners.
Thomas “never showed any signs of hostility before when we spoke with them,” Breanna said. “I don’t really know where it came from.”
She said Thomas sought treatment from Veterans Affairs for his PTSD, but the effort failed.
“They gave him the runaround. He had a hard time,” she said, adding that his behavior got worse after he left the military.
His wife and family friends described him as a “nerd” who enjoyed computer games, Star Wars and Legos.
“He stays home a lot,” Breanna explained. “He plays his games. He’s an online person — a nerdy little gamer.”
It’s unclear why he carried out the attack. Police previously told the Post that they believe the attack was because of politics.
Breanna said she plans to divorce Thomas and will file a restraining order against him — adding that he should pay for his crime, which could land him in prison for life.
“[He] needs to be accountable for what he’s done,” she said.
Sheron’s distraught wife, Maria, told the Post she believed her husband was targeted over the displays, and that she wants “justice.”
“I’m not scared,” Maria said. “I’m a warrior.”
The attack stunned the local community in Escondido, which is located about 30 miles north of the city of San Diego.
“For him to be attacked like this by someone in such a way is terrible,” neighbor Jim Gillie told the Post.
“There’s no reason to be attacked for having American flags and believing in America and the freedom of speech that we all have,” added Jim’s wife, Gina.
A third neighbor, mother of one Angelica Carbajal, 36, described the attack as “heinous” and “disgusting.”
There had been complaints in the community about the house, and Sheron endured vandalism of his Trump and America-themed displays. Neighbors acknowledged the themed house could have drawn dangerous attention.
“He knew when he put those signs up that he was putting a target on his back,” Jim said.
Thomas Butler was scheduled to be arraigned on Friday at Vista Superior Court, North County Regional Center.
