Caldwell Co. deputy out of hospital after being shot

A Caldwell County deputy who was shot earlier this month, while responding to a robbery call, is now out of the hospital. But, he tells FOX 7 his road to recovery will be a long one. We're also learning more about the dispute between neighbors, which took a violent turn. 

The former attorney representing the man and woman who shot Deputy Jay Johnson had claimed self-defense. Their neighbor says that's not the case and is hoping to shed light on the truth to help the deputy.

"My number one goal every single day whenever I leave for work is to get back home to my wife and that's the blessing, to be able to be able to get back to her. I didn't make it back home that day but I still made it back to her," says Deputy Jay Johnson, Caldwell County Sheriff's Office. 

Caldwell County deputy Jay Johnson is back at home after spending more than three weeks in the hospital. He was shot multiple times on February 9th while responding to a robbery call at a home in the small community of Dale. 

"As far as I can tell you, there wasn't a lot of time for fear, it was just action. I had to make very quick choices that would allow me to survive that night," says Deputy Johnson.

54-year-old Kimberley Moore and 33-year-old Eduardo Padilla, Jr. are both charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and deadly conduct discharge of firearm. Moore was reportedly also the reason why 911 was called in the first place. Moore's neighbors, who wish to remain anonymous, tell FOX 7 they were being evicted from their home. They were collecting the remainder of their items when they say they caught Moore stealing. It was a few hours later when Deputy Johnson showed up.

"I said, 'Look, all we want is our belongings back and we're good. No harm, no foul.' He says 'Okay, seems easy enough,'" says neighbor who called 911. 

She says as he walked over to Moore's house, things took a violent turn. 

"Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop - that was all you heard. It wasn't one, then a pause and then another one. It was six back-to-back shots," says neighbor.

She says she hid in her car and called for help while her husband rushed over there.

"He was trying to find out - is the officer okay? Is he okay? Is he okay? All she could tell my husband was that, 'I thought it was you.' She had her gun holstered on her hip and she drew her gun and pointed her gun at my husband and said 'I thought it was you,'" says neighbor. 

Now, the woman is trying to shed light on the truth hoping it will help Deputy Johnson as the Texas Rangers further investigate. 

"They both shot at him? I just, I find it very hard to believe that they didn't have this somewhat in their head...that this is what was going to happen and this is what they we're going to do," says neighbor. 

Deputy Johnson has already had six surgeries and will probably need more but he's focused on getting back to doing what he loves. 

"I've thought about going back to work every single day. The second they give me the green light, I'm going back," says Deputy Johnson.  

If you would like to help Deputy Johnson as he continues his road to recovery, click here. A fish fry is also planned where all proceeds will be donated to the Johnsons.