A 14-year-old girl and a 25-year-old man met online and communicated through an app that connects video gamers. But after she stopped talking to the man, he allegedly came to her house, travelling from New Zealand to Virginia. The mother of the teenage daughter fired her handgun, striking him in the neck when he tried to break in the house by smashing the glass door. The man identified as Troy George Skinner survived and is currently in a secure ward at VCU Medical Center, Goochland County Sheriff James Agnew told ABC News.

Authorities said Skinner attempted to break into the family’s rear basement door with a brick. When that didn’t work he allegedly went upstairs and tried to break the glass door with a concrete landscape stone. The teen’s mom shot him twice and called 911, alerting authorities that she had a gun. Skinner tried to run but fell in a neighbour’s yard. He was taken to a local hospital, authorities said.

When travelling to Virginia, Skinner stopped at a Walmart to buy duct tape and a camouflage folding clip with a 2.75-inch knife, Agnew said at a Monday press conference. He also carried a pepper spray and was dressed in all-black. Officers are releasing the names of the mother and her two daughters. The mother will not be charged.

“His arrival here was totally unexpected by anyone,” Agnew said. “I have to emphasise very clearly, that while he may be in the hospital, he is not the victim. The lady and her family members are the victims. She was protecting her family.” Skinner will likely be charged with breaking and entering with a deadly weapon with intent to commit a serious offence. The FBI is investigating whether additional federal charges also might be filed regarding Skinner’s alleged contact with the minor girl, the sheriff said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2018 03:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).