SALISBURY — Cabarrus County deputies cited a man Wednesday after a YouTube video of him shooting an Amendment One sign went viral.
Cabarrus County Sheriff Brad Riley said in a press release that Jonathan Alexander Wiles “has been very cooperative and has taken full responsibility for his actions and mistake.”
Riley said Wiles didn’t realize the video would capture so much attention.
“He truly thought only his circle of friends would see it and thought it would just be funny,” Riley said. “He didn’t realize it would potentially offend others.”
In the video, Wiles said he was for the amendment, which advocates for the state to recognize marriage as solely between a man and woman.
He then pumped a shotgun and fired twice at the sign that supported a No vote for the amendment.
“Somebody decided it would be a good idea to put this sign near my house,” Wiles said before firing. “They ought to know not to do stuff like that near my house.”
Wiles has since removed the video and contacted YouTube, asking them to permanently remove it, the release said.
Riley said Wiles will be cited for discharging a firearm within close proximity to a residential district.