Father of 9 shot 4 times but survives
He is paralyzed; Las Vegas man arrested, charged in incident
The 45-year-old father of nine sat bleeding on the floor with bullets in his shoulder, vertebrae and lungs, waiting for paramedics to arrive and while police chased the shooter. Five hours later, he was at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, where doctors told him he'd be paralyzed.
But he's glad to be alive.
"I think it's a miracle that he lived," said Armstrong's sister-in-law Kristin Beckstead. "All the care staff, all the doctors, it's all brought them to tears. They couldn't believe that someone would do this to someone else, with no provocation. There was no good reason for this to happen."
Jasson D. Hines, 24, Las Vegas, the son of the man who was renting the cabin, is accused of shooting Armstrong. Hines was charged Wednesday with attempted murder with injury by Garfield County Attorney Barry Huntington.
Fourteen other charges include attempted murder, attempted kidnapping, attempted theft, criminal mischief, four counts of assault against a peace officer, purchase or possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, possession or use of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with an arresting officer, driving with a controlled substance in the body and making a terroristic threat four felonies and 11 misdemeanors, according to charging documents faxed to the Deseret Morning News Wednesday from Huntington.
Hines and his father went to rent one of Armstrong's six cabins at the Blue Springs Lodge Friday evening a few miles outside of Panguitch. Hines' father went into the office first and arranged the details. Jasson Hines walked in minutes later, saying he "wanted to kill someone" and started firing, said Armstrong's sister-in-law Robyn Wilson.
Beckstead said police told her the shooter's father picked up a piece of wood and tried to smack the gun out of his son's hands.
"(The father) was trying to stop his son, trying to take care of Tracy," Beckstead said. "I know their family has been destroyed by this. I feel so sorry for his family. It's ruined two family's lives."
Meanwhile, Armstrong's 16-year-old son had run out with a cordless phone to call 911. As paramedics rushed to the lodge, wife Lynn Armstrong heard the sirens go past her house and called to check on her son. She didn't know Tracy Armstrong was there, too.
"She got the message that Tracy had been shot and heard him saying he wasn't going to live, to call Life Flight and that he loved her," Beckstead said.
Recent comments
We were happy to finally be able to meet you this past week and see...
The Ipsons ... | Sept. 16, 2007 at 5:21 a.m.
- Death near Rockville suspicious 7:46 p.m.
- Attempted murder case refiled 7:46 p.m.
- Family Fun Day kick off Days of '47 7:42 p.m.
- Blazers offer Millsap 4-year deal 7:25 p.m.
- 'Drop Dead Diva' is frothy fun 6:14 p.m.
- Look for face of God in others 6:14 p.m.
- Bishop on a mission 6:14 p.m.
- Vail's mountain cross inspiring 6:14 p.m.
- Religion briefs 6:14 p.m.
- Teachings on adultery after Sanford 6:14 p.m.
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- A primer for the 6th Potter film
- Okur signs two-year extension
- Blazers offer Millsap 4-year deal
- Jazz won't meet Lopez on Europe trip
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Letters: Palin mistreated
141 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
138 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
136 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - LDS seminary principal arrested
122 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
92 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74 - Letters: Single-payer system best
71
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
The contract offered to Milsap is similar to the original one the Jazz gave...
ate carol/kuya rey....We are really sad of what happened...but one thing for...
Hate to break it to ya, Blauch, but every time Memo leaves the floor Boozer...
The Gospel of Jesus Christ has no room for these silly myths. This is the...
paul is a good player but i say see ya get rid of loozer and ak i would...
My family is devastated! We know the Pratts personally and have loved their...
I think all of us grew up hearing these myths. I'm glad Mckay Copins had the...
This makes me so sad! He was a great teacher, it was the only time i ever...
Good job Brother Coppins. Thanks for being a source of moderation and...
at a Martial Art finals in Oklahoma City one year and thoroughly enjoyed the...


