The friend of a New Zealander shot during a home invasion in the US says he got what he deserved.
Troy Skinner, 25, remains in intensive care after he was shot while allegedly breaking into the Virginia home of a 14-year-old he met online.
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But back home a friend, who didn't want to be identified, says it's wildly out of character.
"So when I read the headline I kind of disassociated from my body a little bit, it was freaky, like oh! I was like just talking to Troy a week ago," the man, who doesn't want to be identified, told Newshub.
"I just saw him a week ago before he came 'cause I gave him my phone to take with him, and now he's been shot and he's in intensive care."
Until recently the friend lived with Skinner and described him as quiet and rational. He says he thought he was going to America to make music with other friends.
"So he landed in LA International, and he was supposed to meet his friends in Portland," he says.
"Instead he had gone to Virginia for some reason, and we didn't know why he had gone to Virginia."
Police have released an itinerary which shows Skinner never intended to go to Portland. He landed in LA before flying to Washington and then took the bus to Richmond, 50 kilometres from Goochland County.
They've even released a photo of the knife they say he bought at Walmart, along with duct tape.
Skinner has now been charged with breaking and entering with the intent to commit rape, robbery or murder with a deadly weapon. That carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
But his friend says the US courts need to consider any mental health issues he may have and whether he should be sent home to get treatment.
"Troy deserved to be shot to be honest. He tried to break into a house with two teenage girls," he told Newshub.
"I want the US courts to take into account his mental condition... I think if Troy was in a sane frame of mind, he wouldn't have done anything like this."
Skinner remains in intensive care but is now communicating with medical staff. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says its in touch with his family and has offered consular assistance.
Newshub.
