PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
A southwest Portland teen said he was shot in the hand by his stepfather while trying to save his mother.
The shooting happened just before 6 p.m. Tuesday at a home on the 3600 block of Spring Garden Street.
The 18-year-old victim told FOX 12 he's doing all right, all things considered. He was released from the hospital after needing several stitches to his hand.
The teen, who did not want to be identified, said the whole ordeal began after his mother told his stepfather she wanted to leave him. That's when, according to the victim, the two began to fight and things escalated quickly.
The teen said he watched as his stepfather pulled out a gun and pointed it at his mother. After that, he said, instinct took over, and he ran up to his stepdad and grabbed the gun.
"The reason why I mainly pushed the gun on him was because I saw my stepdad aim it back at my mom and she was standing behind me," said the victim. "I think he shot it on purpose, but I think it was meant to scare me to let go of the gun, I don't think he meant to hurt me specifically."
The victim said his mother then rushed him to the hospital. On the way, he called 911 to report what happened.
When Portland police arrived at the home, they found the teen's stepfather, 51-year-old Andrew Acker, and took him into custody without incident.
The victim said he should be able to use his hand again in the next seven to 10 days and is just grateful both he and his mom are all right.
"To protect my mom, or someone else I really care about, of course I'd do it again," said the victim. "I'd get shot in the hand, in the arm, or anywhere if it's to protect my mom."
Acker faces charges of assault, attempted assault, menacing, unlawful use of a weapon and reckless endangering. He'd being held on $40,000 bail.
