Man who was shot by Adair County deputy speaks
A man who was shot twice by an off-duty deputy is talking about his injuries.
Justin Hellyer has had multiple surgeries and will likely have more in the future. Doctors told him they could not remove a bullet that is lodged in his tailbone.
"They'd say it's something's gonna be there the rest of my life," Hellyer said. "They said that it probably paralyzed me if they removed it."
Travis Adams, a deputy-in-training in Adair County, was arrested on an aggravated assault and a battery charge and released on a $50,000 bond.
Adams has not been suspended and is continuing his training. The sheriff told 40/29 News he believes Adams was defending himself.
Shooting
Hellyer went to check on some property his family owns in Lincoln on Sept. 3 when he saw Adams, who lives there.
"He gets about 20 feet from my vehicle, I roll my window down, he sees me and turns around running back towards the house saying 'get my gun,'" Hellyer said. "He comes out with it, and he shoots once up in the air. He shoots once in front of my vehicle, and then I open my door and shoots one shot by my, right by my vehicle like right by the door."
Cell phone video taken by Hellyer's friend shows the two men arguing and pushing each other.
Adams was armed with the gun he was issued by the county, according to court documents. Hellyer was unarmed.
The video shows Hellyer grabbing Adams. That's when Adams shot him twice.
"I hate that he shot me, and it hurts," Hellyer said. "And every day that goes by, know what I'm saying, it's constant pain and constant ache."
Hellyer said he wishes both of them had handled things differently.
"You know I don't want to see him charged, you know what I'm saying, I really don't want to see him get his whole life ruined," Hellyer said. "You know, because he was like family, you know, despite our differences, you know, I'm saying I have nothing against him as an individual."