72-year old Sunday school teacher avoids gunman’s bullets

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — James Walton sat on his porch Tuesday afternoon as he prepared to teach his Sunday school lesson. Walton has been teaching classes on the bible for the past 30 years. Quite simply, he enjoys the sharing the word of God with his students.

Last Sunday morning before his classes, Walton needed to get some cash for church. So he stopped at an ATM located in Eagledale Park Plaza. He withdrew some money and then suddenly a man jumped out of some nearby shrubs and shoved a gun in Walton’s chest and demanded money.

The gunman not only took Walton’s cash in his hand, but he also forced him to withdraw about $300 out of his bank account. It appeared the scary moments might be over, that’s when the suspect started shooting after he noticed that Walton tried to keep track of where he was going.

Walton estimates that about four shots were fired. All four shots missed Walton, but one struck his SUV.

“God’s grace, that’s all it was. I wasn’t in any kind of control, he wasn’t in control. It was the Lord, he brought me through it,” said Walton.

Police were called to the scene, officers set up a perimeter and called in the K9s, but police were not able to locate the suspect.

Walton remained upbeat; he even expressed interest in helping the man who robbed him if given the chance to meet him again.

“How can I draw him and show him he’s chosen the wrong life path,” said Walton.

Police are taking tips. You are urged to call Crime Stoppers at 262-TIPS, or 262-8477.