A Clay County man is facing charges of attempted murder after a man was shot Thanksgiving night.
The girlfriend of 28-year-old Andrew Ward told Action News Jax he is improving after being shot following an argument.
Tiffany Symmes said she was at a friend’s house for Thanksgiving. She says Ward wasn’t there because the two had been fighting.
When Ward unexpectedly showed up, Symmes said an argument began and escalated outside the house.
“I went outside after I heard the gunshot and I saw Andrew lying on the ground,” said Symmes. “He’s sitting there just saying, ‘Call 911, I’m dying.’”
Neighbors are also spoke out about the shooting.
A witness who doesn't want to be identified explained she saw that Ward had been shot in the abdomen.
"I asked him if he could talk and he just shook his head no. He mouthed 'are they coming?' … as in the EMS," the witness said.
We did some research of Clay County online jail records and found the suspect is Joshua Everett Magruder, who is being charged with second-degree attempted murder.
Symmes said Magruder is a friend.
“People are telling me it’s just because he was protecting me,” she said. “But to protect me, you don’t shoot my child’s father.”
Action News Jax spoke with Magruder’s girlfriend.
She said Magruder spoke with her from jail, and was remorseful about what happened.
Magruder is expected to make his first court appearance Saturday.