It's been revealed that an Auckland man shot by an American mother as he allegedly tried to break into her Virginia home, had plans to study law.
Instead, Troy George Skinner is now facing up to life behind bars in a foreign country.
The 25-year-old had been chatting to a 14-year-old girl online, and despite her attempts to end contact, he travelled across the world, allegedly showing up to her Goochland home with duct tape, pepper spray and a knife.
![A knife and a Wallmart till slip Virginia police said Troy Skinner had in his possession when he was shot and subsequently arrested. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/5N5BBHS2KJWQKX3FOMK5HOMQDM.jpg?auth=696c6c0755286cec2d24614179350d17d455810da9a07b7212108dc97322a3f2&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
Speaking for the first time, Skinner's close friend, James Stirling, told the Herald his actions were completely out of character and "bizarre".