The Christian County grand jury handed up an indictment last Friday for a shooting near Ozark on April 4. Nathan Weter, 30, of Nixa, is charged with first-degree assault of a special victim. His attorney says Weter was defending himself.

The shooting injured a 37-year-old man from Rogersville. It happened about 2 p.m. in the road near 6479 Fremont Road, south of Westwind Drive, north of Highway CC.

On the day of the shooting, Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole said the man from Rogersville was in the middle of the road yelling and screaming at people in passing cars, and even struck a vehicle. People called 9-1-1 about the man’s behavior before the shooting. Weter stopped to try to help and Cole says he ended up shooting the man from Rogersville.

Cole said that day that it appeared the victim was hit with at least three shots. He was hospitalized for his injuries. No law enforcement officer has explained why the shooting victim was on Fremont or why Weter was passing by, although court records show Weter lives about 1.5 miles south of where the shooting occurred.

Cole said his deputies questioned Weter, and also took statements from witnesses who were in vehicles and a nearby home. Because Weter’s father is Christian County Presiding Commissioner Ray Weter, Cole asked the Missouri State Highway Patrol to take over the investigation. Likewise, Christian County Prosecuting Attorney Amy Fite recused herself from the case. A judge appointed Stone County Prosecuting Attorney Matt Selby to determine whether Weter would be charged.

Because the grand jury handed up an indictment instead of Selby filing a complaint, no probable cause statement with a detective’s side of the case is public. It also means the case goes directly to circuit court, skipping associate circuit court, where a defendant has a right to a preliminary hearing at which a judge determines whether enough evidence exists to send a case to trial.

The charge became public on Monday after a judge issued a warrant and it was served on Nathan Weter. The indictment says Weter allegedly “knowingly caused serious physical injury to R.H. by shooting R.H. and, in the course thereof, defendant inflicted serious physical injury on R.H.” Information about why R.H. is a "special victim" is not available.

Circuit Judge Jennifer Growcock, the first judge assigned to the case, recused herself. It will be up to Christian County Presiding Circuit Judge Laura Johnson to handle the case or ask the Missouri Supreme Court to appoint a judge from outside Christian County.

Weter’s bond is $25,000. If he’s convicted, he could receive a prison sentence between 10 and 30 years.

Weter's attorney, Stacie Bilyeu, says he will plead not guilty on grounds of self-defense, defense of others, and Missouri's "Stand Your Ground" law. He posted bond on Monday.