The Dateline episode "Miles from Nowhere" revisits the events of July 4, 2011, when army veteran Chad Wallin-Reed fired shots at six men trespassing on his property in Plumas County, California. This confrontation resulted in the death of 20-year-old Rory McGuire and sparked a complex legal battle, testing the boundaries of self-defense and the lengths a father will go to protect his family. The case became a focal point for debates about home security, the interpretation of threats, and the reliability of eyewitness accounts.
The Wallin-Reed Family and Their Remote Cabin
Army veteran Gregory Chad Wallin-Reed lived in Reno, Nevada, with his wife, Kerry, and their three children: Darylen, Georgia, and Gregory. During vacations, the family retreated to their cabin nestled deep in the woods of Plumas County, California. This cabin, built by Chad’s grandparents in the 1970s, held cherished memories of boating, swimming, fishing, and hiking.
The isolation of the cabin, situated at the end of a two-hour drive into the woods, meant there was no cell reception and the nearest town was miles away. Chad taught his children how to survive in nature, a skill they embraced, cherishing the escape from the noise and distractions of city life. Security was a top priority for Chad, stemming partly from his background as an Army Ranger. He took safety seriously, planting warning signs and stocking the cabin with guns, including his AR-15 Bushmaster rifle.
Security was a top priority for Chad Wallen Reed and his family, leading him to arm himself and teach his wife how to use a gun. Their sense of security was shattered when strangers trespassed on their property and stole a solar light during the 4th of July weekend in 2011. The incident left the family on edge, with heightened anxiety and fear, especially for the safety of their children.
The Incident and Its Aftermath
On the night of July 1, 2011, Chad reported that a group of men trespassed on his property, flashing a bright spotlight and stealing a solar lamp. This incident worried his children and infuriated him. The following night, when the intruders returned, Chad, armed with his AR-15 rifle and a handgun, pursued them in his truck. He claimed that during the chase, someone in the car flashed a spotlight at him and fired shots. Reacting to what he perceived as a threat, Chad fired his handgun at the car as it swerved down Janesville Grade Road.
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According to Chad, the vehicle then stopped abruptly, made a 180-degree turn, and appeared to be coming straight at him. Fearing for his safety, Chad grabbed his AR-15 and fired at the vehicle. The driver's side window shattered, and the car veered off the road, coming to a stop in a meadow.
During a chaotic night in Quincy, officers responded to conflicting reports and found multiple crime scenes, leading to a complex investigation. The events of a single night in Quincy, California, unfolded in a chaotic and confusing manner for law enforcement. A lone justice angle attracted a reality show crew, leading them to respond to a 911 call involving an armed confrontation between Chad Wallen Meade and six men. As they raced to the scene, they received conflicting reports and found wounded men at a campsite who directed them to the meadow where the shooting had taken place. The team arrived to find multiple victims and a vehicle with blown-out windows.
After shooting 26 times at Rory's car, a bullet hit his neck, which seriously injured him. While he was taken to a nearby hospital, he died two days later. The police found 12 and 7 cartridges from an assault weapon and a shotgun, respectively.
Chad approached the car and found the driver, Rory McGuire, severely wounded. He claimed he immediately went home, informed his friends, and drove until he could get cell reception to call 911. He cooperated with the police, narrating his story multiple times. However, detectives noticed discrepancies, including the absence of a weapon inside the other vehicle and inconsistencies in Chad's account.
During a confrontation, Chad and his friend encountered wounded men after a shootout at their home. Despite not knowing them, Chad felt compelled to help and called for assistance. With no phone at their cabin, they had to drive down the mountain to find cell phone reception to report the shooting.
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The Trial and Its Twists
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The trial of Chad Wallin-Reed became a battleground of conflicting narratives. The prosecution argued that Chad had shot at an unarmed car carrying young men who were trying to escape, citing evidence such as oil trails and shot placement. The defense contended that Chad acted in self-defense, believing the young men had fired at him first. The jury was tasked with deciding between these two versions of events.
The defendant's lies about his military service significantly impacted the outcome of his trial. The discovery of his falsified military records, revealing he had not served overseas or been in combat, contradicted his statements to police and cast doubt on his claims of self-defense. Despite his wife's faith in his acquittal, the jury found Chad Wallen Reed guilty of first-degree murder.
During his trial, Chad addressed Rory's family, who was present in court:“I pray ... A father's love and protection tested in unexpected ways: A peaceful family retreat becomes a battlefield, testing a father's military training and love for his family.
The stories given by the young men and Chad about the incident at the meadow significantly differed, leading detectives to question the validity of Chad's account. Detectives later found evidence that contradicted Chad's story, such as shards of broken glass and a trail of oil from the meadow. Ultimately, Chad was arrested for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, despite his claims of self-defense.
Key pieces of evidence included a graphic video of the shooting and witness testimony, such as Lewis Smythe's account of a green laser gun sight and flurries of shots. The prosecution presented a "trump card" when they revealed that Chad had lied about being an Army Ranger and fighting overseas. This revelation undermined his credibility and his claims of acting out of military training and self-defense.
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In September 2013, the jury found Chad guilty of first-degree murder and seven other felony counts, including firing at an occupied vehicle, possession of an illegal assault rifle, and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon. In March 2015, he was sentenced to 50 years to life for first-degree murder and an additional 34 years and eight months for the other felony counts.
The Sentence
In a statement released by Plumas Superior Court by Judge Ira Kaufman, Chad was sentenced to 50 years for first-degree murder and 34 years for seven felony counts, including firing at a vehicle and having possession of an illegal rifle. According to David Hollister, Plumas County district attorney, Chad will be eligible for parole in 2092.
The events leading up to the shooting incident on a dark and lonely road in the high Sierra were not as clear-cut as initially thought. The survivor, Justin Lewis Smythe, had a different account of the events that transpired, which began with a group of young men, including Rory Maguire, in search of a party. They engaged in harmless pranks, but one of them took a solar light to remove a warning sign, leading to an unexpected confrontation.
The prosecution and defense presented conflicting versions of events during the trial of Chad Wallen Reed. The prosecution argued that Chad had shot at an unarmed car carrying young men, who had been trying to escape, based on evidence such as oil trails and shot placement. The defense argued that Chad had acted in self-defense, as the young men had allegedly fired at him first.
| Charge | Sentence |
|---|---|
| First-degree murder | 50 years to life |
| Firing at an occupied vehicle | 34 years and eight months (for all seven felony counts) |
| Possession of an illegal assault rifle | Included in the 34 years and eight months |
| Five counts of assault with a deadly weapon | Included in the 34 years and eight months |
Even in the face of tragedy and loss, the memories and love shared between people can help them find solace and comfort. Lewis is dedicated to preserving the memory of his late friend Rory, and finds support in his relationship with Carol. Although their cabin, a cherished reminder of happier times, has been sold, they continue to hold onto the memories they have. At Rory's sentencing hearing, Chad acknowledged the pain of the loss, but also the importance of holding onto the good memories.
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