Richmond man who permanently disabled victim in machete attack to be sentenced

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Richmond man who left his victim permanently disabled after shooting him and attacking him with a machete in 2024 will be sentenced at the end of July.

On Monday, July 28, Brandon Paige of Richmond will be sentenced in connection with the August 2024 assault of Linwood Eddleton, Jr., according to a press release from Colette McEachin, Richmond's Commonwealth's Attorney.

This assault, which involved several deep cuts with a machete and a gunshot wound, left Eddleton -- who was 55 years old at the time -- permanently disabled.

"Eddleton, once self-sufficient, now needs help completing everyday tasks," the release reads.

The assault: Eddleton's near-deadly encounter with Paige

The afternoon of Aug. 1, 2024, Eddleton visited his relative, called "Tyrone," at his Richmond home. Paige is Tyrone's stepson and he also lived in the home at the time of the assault, which was "set up as a duplex," per the release. Paige had reportedly told Eddleton before to "not come around the residence."

Eddleton was sitting in a chair in the backyard when he heard a noise, causing him to turn around and see Paige with a machete in his hand, according to the release. The two spoke briefly and Eddleton stood up.

As he turned away from Paige to try and find an escape, Paige swung at him. Eddleton reacted by ducking. He was still struck in the head, which left a deep wound, per the release. Paige then chased Eddleton through the front yard and out onto the nearby road, landing another blow on the back of his arm that also cut deeply.

Once in the roadway, Eddleton turned to face Paige and tossed up an arm to protect his face from Paige's attack. The machete sliced "down to the bone" and fractured his forearm, according to the release.

Eddleston then tackled Paige "in an attempt at self-defense" -- but Paige responded by pulling out a gun and firing it at Eddleston. The bullet hit him in his right arm.

"That gunshot shattered the bone just above Eddleton’s elbow, rendering the arm useless for self-defense and causing permanent impairment despite medical intervention," the release reads.

Eddleton wrapped Paige up in a "bear hug" as he continued to try to defend himself. Paige continued to hit Eddleton in the back with the machete, cutting him multiple additional times -- one of them deep enough to slice through his chest wall and expose his lung and diaphragm, per the release.

After Eddleton let go of Paige, Paige grabbed both of his weapons and went back inside the home, leaving Eddleton out there alone.

"Police responded and found Eddleton slumped against the fence," the release reads. "He was covered in blood, but was able to point police to Paige’s house and provide his first name."

The aftermath: Eddleton's recovery, Paige's arrest and trial

Eddleton was rushed to a local hospital where he was treated for injuries that "would have been fatal" if he had not received such emergent medical care, according to the release.

Paige came out some time later and was arrested by responding officers. Two guns and the machete were recovered by police, who were able to match one of the guns -- a .40 Beretta -- to the bullet casings found in the road, per the release. Eddleton's blood was also on both the Beretta and the machete.

"When interviewed by police, Paige admitted to 'ambushing' Eddleton with both the machete and handgun," the release reads. "He said that Eddleton had disrespected him and he needed to send a message. Paige expressed disbelief that Eddleton would put his life in jeopardy by 'defying' Paige."

During his trial on May 20, Paige reportedly claimed this confession "was passed upon dissociative dementia," but added that "he had self-diagnosed himself" when pressed.

"He could not explain why his initial confession matched the physical evidence, as well as Eddleton’s account of the brutal attack," the release reads.

On the other side, doctors reportedly testified about Eddleton's permanently disabled arm, as well as the several scars he has from both the attack and his emergency surgeries: one from his chest to under his naval, multiple on his arms, multiple on his back and one on his head.

"The surgery also renders Eddleton at a higher risk for hernia for the rest of his life," the release reads.

Paige was found guilty of aggravated malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and felonious shooting/stabbing.

His sentencing, as said prior, will take place on Monday, July 28.