In a small town with a population of just a few hundred, McElroy emerged as a notorious figure, known for his criminal activities and ruthless behaviour. Throughout his time in the community, he faced 21 indictments, covering serious offences such as assault, child molestation, statutory rape, arson, livestock theft, and burglary. Despite this lengthy list of charges, he managed to evade conviction, largely due to his menacing tactics that intimidated potential witnesses in the close-knit farming community.
One of the more shocking instances regarding his criminal history involved a case of statutory rape, which he narrowly escaped punishment for by marrying the 14-year-old victim. Tragically, their relationship took a dark turn when she fled shortly after giving birth; in a fit of rage, he retaliated by setting fire to her parents’ home and shooting their dog. His violent past didn’t stop there—he had also shot a farmer in the stomach when confronted about trespassing and repeatedly stalked the daughter of the family who adopted his child.
The town had reached a breaking point with McElroy before a particular incident escalated tensions further. When his seven-year-old child was caught stealing from a local shop, McElroy retaliated by shooting the grocery store owner, Bo Bowenkamp, in the neck. Although he was arrested and charged with attempted murder, he was released on bail shortly thereafter. Almost immediately, he made his presence felt again at a local tavern, arriving armed with an M1 rifle and bayonet, threatening Bowenkamp with further violence.
The mounting frustration and fear in the town regarding McElroy’s behaviour hinted at a community desperate for change and safety, eager to see an end to his reign of terror.