Eighteen months have passed since Lee Perryman was shot while walking in an orchard.
The .40 caliber bullet was fired from this Exeter shooting range where Woodlake police officers were training. "Went down on one knee and the wife asked me what happened and I said something hit me," Perryman said.
After an investigation by the Tulare county district attorney the police department was cleared of any wrong doing.
P.D. agreed to pay all medical expenses while Perryman agreed not to sue for punitive damages. But Perryman and his wife Judy felt Woodlake P.D. was holding back information.
With the help of attorney Jim Holland they petitioned the Grand Jury to look into the case and in a report issued Saturday the jury found there was evidence police were uncooperative and didn't follow safety rules.
"Maybe we're going to find out what really happened," said Perryman.
Police Chief John Zapalac told Action News on the phone that "The city of Woodlake is disappointed with the grand jury's decision...."
Though ultimately it will be up to the Tulare County D.A. to decide whether to re-open this case.
This is where Perryman was shot. We're Northwest of the shooting range and about a 1/3 of a mile away. The bullet entered from underneath his shoulder blade, came up to his breast bone and turned. Doctors say that bullet was about an inch away from his heart.
The range faces the Northeast.
During our visit we spotted several bullet holes through the fence line at the range. Perryman is hopeful a new investigation will lead to either new safety rules or the closure of the facility altogether.