Culver man arrested in shooting of stepson

A Culver man was arrested Monday on attempted murder and other charges, accused of shooting his adult stepson in the chest during a fight at their home last Friday night, Jefferson County Sheriff Jim Adkins said Tuesday.

The bullet went through the victim, who “amazingly” was recovering well at a Bend hospital, the sheriff added; he apparently was released late Tuesday.

Deputies responded around 10:40 p.m. Friday to the reported shooting at the home at 14420 SW Park Lane, Adkins said.

An investigation found that Jeffrey Eugene Kroo, 52, got into a physical altercation with his stepson, Justin Boothby, 37, who also lives at the home, the sheriff said.

“After fighting and wrestling around, (Kroo) retrieved a pistol and shot (Boothby) once in the chest,” Adkins said in a news release.

Boothby was rushed by his mother to the Terrebonne fire station, where he received medical attention before being flown to St. Charles Bend. A hospital spokeswoman said Boothby was in fair condition Tuesday.

Adkins said it was “a through and through gunshot wound to his chest,” and that he was “amazingly” in good condition Tuesday. A hospital spokeswoman said he no longer was there Wednesday morning.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested Kroo around 3:10 p.m. Monday and he was taken to the Jefferson County Jail, where he was being held without bail pending arraignment Tuesday afternoon.

Initial charges against Kroo include attempted murder, first-degree assault, negligently wounding another, menacing, pointing a firearm at another, unlawful use of a weapon, recklessly endangering and harassment, Adkins said.

A follow-up investigation continues, the sheriff said, adding that both had been drinking before the altercation.