Shooting Victim Refuses to Implicate Girlfriend

The 46-year-old man, shot Saturday by the girlfriend he was living with in Gans, was flown to a Little Rock, Ark., hospital Saturday night when it became apparent his injuries from the 22-caliber pistol shot were more serious than originally believed.

Sequoyah County Undersheriff Greg Cox said Andrew Ray Qualls was shot in the chest and the bullet “ricocheted off several organs.” As of noon Monday, Qualls was listed in stable condition.

It is unlikely that the girlfriend will be charged, Cox said. She told investigators that she shot Qualls in self-defense when he raised a hand to hit her. Also, Qualls refused to implicate her in the shooting.

Cox reported, “He refused to make a statement. He said ‘I’m not telling you nothing.’”

The name of the woman is not being released by the sheriff’s office. Cox said the two have a history of domestic abuse in at least five reports and cases going back over the years. The woman obtained a protective order against Qualls dated Dec. 4, after he was released from prison. According to court records, Qualls has a long criminal history. The protective order lists Qualls as the woman’s ex-husband. Cox said the two have been living together in Gans since he was released.

Cox said the investigation report will be submitted to the district attorney’s office and the DA will determine what charges to file. He said possible charges faced by Qualls include being a felon in possession of a firearm since there were firearms in the home and violation of a protective order, even though the woman allowed Qualls to be in her home. The woman also faces a possible charge of aggravated assault with a weapon, but since Qualls refused to make a statement against her, she will most likely not be charged.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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