OMAHA, Nebraska (WOWT) – This year, an Omaha parent will not find his Christmas gift under the tree.
His present is his son, who is currently incarcerated at Nebraska’s Tecumseh State Correctional Institution.
A father’s affection gives him optimism that future holidays would be even better.
In January 2017, Monroe Evans III was on his way to the hospital after exchanging gunfire with two Omaha police officers. Evans wounded one of the officers.
Police responded fire with 12 rounds in all, many of which hit their target.
“It was nine, we didn’t know it right away, but we found out later it was 13 holes because the rounds were completed, and he still has one in his thigh,” Evans’ father, Monroe Evans Jr., said. “As far as we know, he could die. I mean, people are shot that many times, so it’s not unheard of, but it’s extremely unlikely that someone would live.”
Both cops survived the encounter. Evans III wound up in a wheelchair, very possibly for the remainder of his life.
His father admitted he made a bad mistake but remained at his side.
“I love him dearly and hope he can get through all of this,” Evans Jr. added.
Today, Monroe Evans Jr. believes his son is doing more than just surviving. He’s working hard in physical therapy and, with some assistance, uses a walker.
“There’s a number of things he is doing there, he went through a paralegal program and passed that,” Evans Jr. told me. “That was outside the facility, we paid for that, but he got through that and so he’s really making some changes in his life that’s really positive.”
“I am quite proud of him for doing that. He has an 8-year-old son, and we go down every two weeks to visit.”
Following his son’s crime, which landed him in a wheelchair, Evans Jr. stated that the changes his son is making give him hope that one day he will be home for Christmas, which is the best present he can ask for this year.
“It’s the best ever, yeah, couldn’t be better,” Evans Jr. remarked.
Monroe Evans III did injure one of the Omaha Police Officers and was found guilty of several felonies, including attacking an officer and using a firearm to commit a felony.
He was convicted in 2017 and was eligible for parole in 13 years.