news-record.com

WINSTON-SALEM – A Winston-Salem police sergeant faces a lengthy road to recovery from wounds he received Wednesday in a shooting behind a fast food restaurant.

Police Chief Scott Cunningham said Friday afternoon that Sgt. Mickey Hutchens, 50, is able to open his eyes and move his foot, but otherwise he remains heavily sedated and is unable to talk after being shot in the face.

“A neurosurgeon I talked to yesterday said his condition is critical and grave,” Cunningham said at an afternoon news conference.

“He is not out of the woods yet. ... They are guardedly cautious because the extent of his injuries is so severe. We ask the community to pray for him and his family.”

Hutchens already has had numerous surgeries, but doctors still don't know the full extent of his injuries, Cunningham said.

Hutchens and Officer Daniel Clark, 28, were shot when they responded to a 911 call at the Bojangles restaurant on Peters Creek Parkway just before 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

A worker at the restaurant hit a panic alarm when she saw her manager's former husband, Monte Denard Evans, come into the restaurant.

The two had a troubled relationship, and Sally Evans had told her co-workers that she was afraid of her former husband.

When Monte Evans saw Hutchens and Clark, he ran from the restaurant, and the officers gave chase.

Evans opened fire on the officers at a close range, striking Hutchens once in the face and Clark twice. One round was stopped by the officer’s protective vest; the other round struck Clark behind the right ear and lodged in his skull, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.

Officers returned fire, and Evans was shot and killed at the scene.

Cunningham said Clark is expected to be released from the hospital later today or this weekend.

“He wants to thank God that he is still here and is thankful God has looked over him through this ordeal,” Cunningham said in a statement prepared by Clark.

Cunningham said Clark and both officers' families appreciate the many prayers, cards and support they have received from the community and from fellow officers.

Clark also will have a long rehabilitative process, Cunningham said.

The SBI and Winston-Salem police are continuing their investigation of the incident.