JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. -- A quarter of an inch was the difference between life and death for an Indiana State Police trooper.
Investigators say Trooper Morgenn Evans was doing a traffic stop on 79 year old Oscar Kays in Jeffersonville and was conducting a DWI investigation when Kays started to fight with Evans.
At some point during the incident, Kays pulled a small calliber gun and fired at the trooper, grazing his head. Trooper Evans fired back at Kays during a short pursuit that ended at Kays home.
Both Kays and Evans were taken to University Hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries and have both been released.
ISP Sgt. Jerry Goodin says the trooper was a quarter inch away from his wound being a fatal one.
Kays is charged with attempted murder of a police officer among other charges and is in the Clark County Jail.
Goodin says Kays, who has no criminal record, told investigators he wanted to have a couple of beers and not have to go to jail.
Evans has been with the State Police since October of 2016.