A Plano man who was reportedly shot while protecting his neighbor and her young child during a domestic dispute recently shared his experience.
Steve Bolton, 54, explained to NBC DFW that the incident started with a frantic call from his neighbor, who claimed a man was in her garage and refusing to leave. The man, who police later identified as Caleb Thomas Humphrey, reportedly had a history with the woman and is the father of her child.
“[She was] crying hysterically, and I could hear him yelling and screaming in the background,” Bolton said. “I told her to get the baby and come over to my house and get away from him.”
Bolton’s wife took the 1-year-old child to safety while he and a friend went to the neighbor’s aid.
Around this time, according to Bolton, Humphrey shouted to a 911 dispatcher on the phone that three armed and masked men were charging him, and he feared for his life. Then he allegedly fired two shots at Bolton.
“He came out and pointed a gun right at me and fired two shots,” Bolton told NBC DFW after he was released from the hospital. “I felt like, I just looked for flames on my stomach. It burned so bad.”
He was struck by one of the two bullets, suffering a serious injury to his intestines.
Police said that Humphrey admitted to the shooting.
“There’s no indication that the shooting victim was inside the garage or anywhere else or even trying to make entry,” Plano Police’s Jesse Minton said.
Humphrey was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and bond was set at $40,000, according to court records.
Police urge residents to use caution when dealing with domestic violence incidents.
“It’s good that people still want to step in and help their neighbors and try to do what’s right, but just be aware that sometimes these things spiral out of control, especially when you’re dealing with family units,” said Minton.
“If you feel like there’s been a history of domestic violence or a history of possible escalating, call the police department. That’s what we’re here for,” Minton added.
Despite his injury, Bolton said he would do it again.
“I’d do the exact same thing. I didn’t do it for me. I don’t like the word ‘hero.’ I did it because I genuinely care for that family, and I wouldn’t hesitate for a minute,” Bolton told NBC DFW. “People in that situation have to have ‘big brother’ to stand up for them.”
The woman who initially reached out to Bolton for help has filed a restraining order against Humphrey.
Bolton is still unable to work due to his injury, and a GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover his medical expenses.
