A dispute over firewood resulted in one Cherokee County man being airlifted to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler where he remains in critical condition. Lt. Chris White of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department said deputies responded to a 9-1-1 call from an individual who stated he witnessed a shooting at 1:18 p.m. Wednesday, just off of FM 747 North.

“The witness advised that Mr. Roger Dale Evans Sr., of Jacksonville had been shot three times by a neighbor concerning a dispute over the distribution of firewood,” Lt. White said. “Reportedly, after a brief verbal dispute, the suspect in the case walked into his residence where he retrieved a .22 rifle.”

He said during the altercation, the suspect allegedly fired the rifle three times at the victim, striking him in both legs.

Arrested for the shooting was Virgil Lee Bell, 51, of Jacksonville.

Lt. White said Mr. Bell was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is being held on a $100,000 bond set by Justice of the Peace Brenda Dominy.

Mr. Evans was flown to ETMC in Tyler where he underwent emergency surgery for his injuries, Lt. White said.

“At last check, he was in critical condition,” he said.