“I have a fighting spirit,” Justin Jones told WFAA after being released from the hospital, after police say a suspect took his firearm and shot him in the leg.
DALLAS — Dallas ISD Officer Justin Jones was released from the hospital Wednesday, less than two weeks after investigators say he was shot in the leg with his own gun while trying to help a man in a shopping center parking lot.
‘I’m blessed to be out,” Officer Justin Jones said. On Wednesday, Aug. 19, WFAA spoke exclusively with Jones after his release. “I feel really, really, really good. I’m glad to be alive, I’m glad to have my life, I’m glad to get home and just get back to recovery.”
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The 39-year-old was the first Dallas ISD officer to be shot in the line of duty, sources tell WFAA.
“Definitely looking forward to going back to work. That’s my passion in life, and I will be there with bells on when I get fully recovered,” Jones said.
He made a slow and steady exit in a wheelchair before standing and walking to a vehicle.
The shooting happened just before 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Sam’s Club and Walmart parking lot in the 4100 block of I-635 near Midway Road.
Sources tell WFAA that a fellow officer arrived to assist Jones and applied a tourniquet to his leg; an action they believe helped save his life. Sources also say Dallas Fire-Rescue had blood available in the ambulance and administered it while rushing Jones to the hospital.
Jones said his recovery was difficult, but he was determined to keep moving forward.
“I have a fighting spirit, so every day is going to be better than the last. I’m looking forward to feeling the sun on my skin, being active and spending time with family,” Jones told WFAA. “I hope to make a full recovery.”
He told WFAA he could not discuss the details of the shooting because the investigation is still ongoing.
Without any assistance, Jones stood from a wheelchair, took a few steps, and got in an SUV to head home. He fist-bumped the hospital worker who wheeled him out and left with a smile.
27-year-old Jose Santiago Pantoja-Morales admitted he took Jones’ firearm during a struggle and shot the officer in the right leg, according to an affidavit obtained by WFAA.
Investigators say Jones had responded after a co-worker flagged him down, concerned that Pantoja-Morales had gotten out of a vehicle and was walking along the LBJ Freeway median. When Jones went to help, Pantoja-Morales willingly got into the officer’s patrol car.
As Jones pulled into the shopping center parking lot, he stopped between Walmart and Sam’s Club after noticing Pantoja-Morales removing items from his work bag, the affidavit states. Jones then got out of his patrol car, pulled Pantoja-Morales from the vehicle and attempted to turn him to face the patrol car.
The affidavit says the two struggled. During that struggle, Pantoja-Morales got hold of Jones’ firearm and shot him.
Pantoja-Morales is charged with aggravated assault and is being held on a $500,000 bond. Jail records also show he has an immigration hold.
The Blue Guardian Foundation started a fundraiser to help Jones as he recovers.
