Missouri

Couple injured in Joplin shooting grateful, forgiving

Associated Press
Published | Updated

This Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016, photo provided by KOAM-TV in Joplin, Mo., shows Don and Debbie Pugh speaking from a hospital room in Joplin. The Pughs were among victims in apparently random shootings Saturday, Aug. 13 in Joplin. The couple were driving to work when a man shot at their truck Saturday, aug. 13, 2016, hitting Don three times. Six people and two dogs were injured before the suspect, Tom Mourning II, was captured. (KOAM-TV via AP) (The Associated Press)

A photo released by the Joplin Police Department of Thomas S. Mourning II, 26, of Joplin, Mo., the 26-year-old was arrested after five people were injured Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in apparently random roadway shootings, police said. (AP/Joplin Police Department) (The Associated Press)

Joplin Police investigators survey the scene Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016 after an early morning shooting at 1810 Connecticut St., the residence of shooting suspect Tom S. Mourning II, 26. Five people and two comfort dogs were injured after the suspect left his Joplin, Mo. residence. (Laurie Sisk /The Joplin Globe via AP) (The Associated Press)

A Missouri couple who were among victims in apparently random shootings in Joplin say they're grateful the incident didn't turn out much worse.

Don and Debbie Pugh were driving to work Saturday when a man shot at their truck, hitting Don three times.

Six people and two dogs were injured before the suspect, Tom Mourning II, was captured.

The Pughs said Monday that doctors treating Don found no permanent damage from the gunshots. But they did discover that one of his heart valves was almost completely blocked. During surgery Monday to have a stent implanted, doctors decided even that wasn't necessary. Instead, Don Pugh was being released to go home to Duquense.

Mourning is the Jasper County jail on multiple felony charges. A motive for the shootings remains unclear.