Ep 5. House of the Rising Gun

Fear Thy Neighbor is a crime documentary series that shows how living next to a neighbor with ill-intentions can lead to deadly consequences. In season 3 episode 5 titled "House of the Rising Gun," the show delves into the story of two neighborhood families whose hostile relations spiral out of control.

The episode is set in the quiet town of Ligonier, Indiana, where two families live in close proximity to each other. The families, the Hinkles, and the Keefers, used to be friends, but their relationship quickly turned sour after a dispute over noise levels. The Keefers were upset about the noise coming from the Hinkle's house, and after several complaints, the situation escalated to the point where the Keefers filed a lawsuit.

As tensions grew between the two families, the Hinkles began to feel increasingly threatened by the Keefers. They purchased several guns to protect themselves, a decision that the Keefers saw as an act of aggression. The Keefers responded by erecting a large fence around their property, which only fueled the conflict even further.

Things take a turn for the worse when the Keefers' teenage friend, Travis Stelzer, gets involved in the feud. Stelzer takes the Keefers' side and begins to harass the Hinkles, taunting them and making threats. The Hinkles feel like they are under siege, and tensions in the neighborhood continue to escalate.

The situation comes to a head one day when Stelzer and another friend go to the Hinkle's house and start vandalizing it. The Hinkles, feeling threatened, come out of their house armed with guns. In the chaos that ensues, shots are fired, and one person is critically wounded.

As the police arrive on the scene, they find themselves embroiled in a complex web of conflicts and tensions between the two families. The incident raises important questions about the limits of self-defense and the dangers of an escalating feud between neighbors.

Through interviews with people involved in the case, including law enforcement officers, attorneys, and family members, "House of the Rising Gun" provides a gripping account of how a simple dispute can quickly spiral out of control and lead to tragic consequences. The episode serves as a reminder of the importance of communication and conflict resolution in maintaining peaceful and harmonious relationships with our neighbors.