Returned missionary treasures life after 2006 attack

It was a cold day in January 2006, and time for dinner. Elder Josh Heidbrink and his Mormon missionary companion of just one week, Elder Morgan Young, were ready to get their bikes and head back to their apartment.

But as their tracting in the Deep Creek area of Chesapeake, Va., drew to a close, they began talking to somebody on the side of the street. He showed some interest, and they were writing down his contact information so they wouldn't forget.

It was raining that cold January evening. Young, 21, was on one knee, shielding his planner with his coat as he wrote, while Heidbrink, 19, stood next to him.

Suddenly, they heard a gunshot from across and down the street.

"We looked over," Heidbrink said, and "saw the guy coming out of the duplex. He turned around at us. … I raised my head and said, 'Hey, man, we didn't see anything.' "

The man stopped near them but said nothing. Not a word.

Then Heidbrink saw the gun — and a flash.

The bullet tore through the left side of his neck and exited through his left shoulder, breaking the bone.

There was another flash and Young, of Bountiful, lay unconscious, mortally wounded. But his companion didn't know that just then.

That Monday evening — Jan. 2, 2006 — marked the beginning of one family's grief over losing a son in missionary work, an injured elder's resolve to continue his mission and not let the incident define his life, and a long court case to bring the shooter to justice.

Heidbrink, 23, of Greeley, Colo., said now that the killer has been sentenced to 38 ½ years in prison, he is ready to talk outside the courtroom about his experience. James Boughton Jr., 23, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced March 29 by a Virginia judge. An appeal is expected.

Heidbrink recalls going into shock when he was shot.

"I had (similar to) paralysis for a little bit and couldn't do anything. After that wore off, I got up and checked on Elder Young, and he was unconscious."

As fast as he could, Heidbrink walked to a nearby assisted living center and went inside to get help for his fallen companion.

As he entered the building, he had his second presentiment that he was really going to die that night.

Within 30 seconds.

As Heidbrink entered one door of the center, he saw a man with a gun come in another door.