Mother Of Man Shot After Chase Says Son Wasn’t Armed
Mother Of Man Shot After Chase Says Son Wasn’t Armed Save Email Print
27 comments
A | A | A

(November 11, 2008)--The mother of a 39-year-old man whom Texas law enforcement officers shot and wounded after an SUV chase into New Mexico says her son was unarmed.

JaWayne Helfferich of Clovis, N.M., was shot Saturday after a pursuit that began in Texas and ended about 12 miles north of Clovis.

His family said he remains in serious condition at a hospital in Lubbock with six gunshot wounds.

Glenda Camp of Portales, N.M. was a passenger in her son's sport utility vehicle during the chase, which ended when the SUV went into a ditch, broke an axle and crashed into patrol cars.

She says her son was not armed and never threatened officers.

New Mexico State Police declined comment.

The Texas Department of Public Safety obtained a warrant charging Helfferich with evading arrest or detention in a motor vehicle.

The pursuit began southwest of Friona, Texas, when a DPS officer stopped Helfferich for speeding and the man sped away.
More Stories
Drug Testing Ordered For Mother Of Murdered Mexia Boy

5-Year-Old Shooting Victim Identified

Manhunt Underway After Violent Central Texas Assault

Swine Flu Claims Life Of Temple Woman

 Texas Man Charged With Capital Murder In Infant Daughter’s Disappearance

One-Car Accident Claims Life Of 35-Year-Old Central Texas Man

Teenage Texas Counselor Hacks Opossum To Death

Five Die Thursday When Train Hits Car
Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
By posting this comment I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy:
You must agree to the Terms of Service to continue.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: Joe Location: Waco on Nov 13, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Come on MOM give us a break, your son was guilty in some form and who knows you maybe also.
Posted by: Yep Location: Cove on Nov 13, 2008 at 12:28 PM
BS. He was armed with a more than 1500 lb weapon.
Posted by: Kay Location: Temple on Nov 13, 2008 at 09:11 AM
Hats off to all the troopers and officers that keep our streets safer. Thank You!!
Posted by: Mother of Three Location: Temple on Nov 13, 2008 at 08:30 AM
To the people wondering why 6 shots hit him, the story says he was shot by law enforcement officerS. So maybe more than one fired a couple shots at him. I'd say he's lucky to be alive. Don't run if you don't have anything to hide.
Posted by: Yep Location: Cove on Nov 13, 2008 at 07:40 AM
To: Anonymous Location: Tex I agree with your sentiments but saying someone is "hiding" behind thier computer all day and then signing on as Anonymous....kinda takes a bit of wind out of your sails...lol
Posted by: Just sayin is all Location: Ft Hood on Nov 13, 2008 at 07:38 AM
The trooper in this situation did a great job. And I wish KWTX would add a spellchecker. I never knew there were so many ways to spell intelligence.
Posted by: JC Location: Waco Area on Nov 12, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Well Way of Killeen Reading Williams Comment Does make sense But if you really wanna know, Most of the people who are stopped by the Police dont drive away during the cop writting the ticket Unless 3 things are involved, 1 they have guns that arnt registered , 2. they have warrents on them, 3. they have drugs in the car. end of story he ran so 99% of the time they are doing something illeagal, and if he tried to ram police cars with his vehicle guess what that is assault with a deadly weapon yes a car can be considered a deadly weapon. not to mention if they push the issue they could try him for attempted capitol murder as well.... just my 2 cents worth
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 12, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Texas DPS Troopers are the elite law enforcement in the nation. They are trained to enforce the law!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 12, 2008 at 02:51 PM
Obviously this site is anti-law enforcement from the comments you choose to print!
Posted by: john Location: belton on Nov 12, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Killeen you acvvtually show that you have no knowledge of anything William is right in his discussion. there waqs probably no bus but what if there was and several kids were killed now how would you feel. I think an old Bell County Sheriff since retired would have thrown a few bulletts at a vehicle or person running away from the law how do the officer's know who it is maybe Osama Ben Laden...Good work police rember this Kids stop and be polite to the officer and give them the correct information...
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 12, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Mom probably isn't any more innocent than him.
Posted by: Denise Location: Burleson on Nov 12, 2008 at 10:29 AM
I'm with William. Only the truly ignorant would support such criminal activity.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Tex on Nov 12, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Anonymous,your a fool you know nothing about being in a situation like that because cowards like you hide behind a computer all day and make stupid comments like the one you just typed. Go and get some training and then talk,until then just read the comments. Running from the police in a vehicle is a life threating situation to the public...I sounds like you don't think either,just like the fool who ran from the police in his vehicle
Posted by: George Location: Temple on Nov 12, 2008 at 09:55 AM
WAY your the one showing your inteligence level. She was in the car the whole time and didnt find a way to get her own son to stop and not only did he run but he did so with his mom in the car.... Stupid must be this guys middle name. Thats funny his middle name is the same as Way's last name.
Posted by: william Location: waco on Nov 12, 2008 at 07:51 AM
To WAY,I'll take that as a compliment, because if it wasn't meant as one you are really showing your intelegence level.
Posted by: Tony Location: Waco on Nov 12, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Let this be a lesson to criminals that choose to run from police...the consequence may be getting shot. Just because he didn't have a "weapon" does not mean he didn't "threaten" the officers and countless innocent citizens with his vehicle. Kudos to the Texas DPS!
Posted by: Just sayin is all Location: Ft Hood on Nov 12, 2008 at 07:23 AM
Does she not say why he decided to go on a chase from one state to another? What did he do when he finally stopped to warrent shooting?
Posted by: Dave Location: Waco on Nov 12, 2008 at 05:15 AM
You do not have to have a gun to be armed Your vehical could be a deadly weapon
Posted by: El Guapo Location: Around on Nov 12, 2008 at 01:24 AM
All he had to do was stop when he was told. We've all seen the dashcam videos where officers make a simple traffic stop and end up dead. The trooper had no way to know why this guy was running, crossing state lines and endangering the public. Let this be a lesson, failure to follow a lawful order is not only a crime in itself, it may result in death. And to "Way" in Killeen - it's "great comment THERE William really shows your INTELLIGENCE level" - remove the log from your own eye before removing the speck from someone else's...
Posted by: Don Location: Texas on Nov 12, 2008 at 01:12 AM
All he had to do was stop instead of run. He deserved what he got. If that was his mother in the car, shame on you for letting your son run like a criminal. You set a fine example of law-abiding citizen don't you--NOT.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 12, 2008 at 12:25 AM
he only shot him 6 times , because he didn't have time to RELOAD !!! you run , you PAY!!! his mom probably stuffed the dope inside her person to hide it !!
Posted by: way Location: Killeen on Nov 11, 2008 at 08:27 PM
great comment their William really shows your intelligent level
Posted by: C Location: Waco on Nov 11, 2008 at 04:24 PM
I'm glad you all updated this story a little bit so it was his mother that was in the vehicle with him, but it is good that she wasn't hurt, and whatever the reason he ran i hope he's ok
Posted by: william Location: waco on Nov 11, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Wasn't armed, never threatened police, slammed his suv into patrol cars. Does his mother realize a 3500 pound suv is more dangerous than a gun??? It's a good thing the police got their patrol cars between him and a loaded school bus. Bottom line if he hadn't ran he would not have been shot now would he??? Way to go police.
Posted by: Anonymous1 Location: Waco on Nov 11, 2008 at 03:45 PM
6 gunshots seems absurd to detain someone under arrest. Part of me also wonders why 6 gunshots? A police officer shouldnt need to shoot a suspenct 6 times unless its a life or death situation, and if it was life or death...why didnt 6 shots kill the man? My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved.
Posted by: Belton Location: Belton on Nov 11, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Well why was he evading arrest? He obviously was doing something that he should not have been so whether he was threatening or not he was still in the wrong running from the police with his mother in the car - come on!!!! Sounds like they are looking for a lawsuit to get money.
Most Texas Prison Inmates Face The Summer Without AC
111 Comments
Waco FBI Agent Sentenced In Dog Shooting
62 Comments
Sentencing For FBI Agent Convicted In Animal Cruelty Case Recheduled For Wednesday
40 Comments
Ex-Principal Avoids Prison Time In Graphic Text Message Case
36 Comments
Pregnant Woman, Unborn Child Die In Highway Collision
36 Comments
Teen Killed, Three Others Injured When Car Slams Into Trees
36 Comments
KWTX.com Features
Double Dollar Deals
Half Price Deals at Central Texas restaurants and businesses. A new deal every Thursday at 7:00am.
Boss of the Month
Who is Central Texas’ best boss? Nominate your supervisor for Boss of the Month!
Golden Apple
Your chance to nominate an outstanding teacher. Find out how they are making a difference in classrooms.
Emily Wants to Know
Emily Matthews' inquisitive look at life in Central Texas.
10 On Your Side
Answers from our experts on topics that affect YOU.
Job of the Week
Click now to see hundreds of other jobs on Job Board TV!


Full-Time Physical Therapist - Join Metroplex Health System in Killeen as a Full-Time Physical Therapist in our Pediatric Rehabilitation Department. Metroplex offers a very competitive hourly wage and benefits plan. Join Metroplex in “Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ”.

Also, take a look at the most recent jobs posted to Job Board TV at KWTX.com: View More Jobs.