Felony Charges For Arkansas Buds Who Shot Each Other While Wearing Bulletproof Vest

ROGERS, AK — Two Arkansas men who allegedly shot each other while wearing bulletproof vests, and then made up a story about a fictional third man to cover for their crimes, are facing assault charges.

The incident occurred during a night of drinking, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

Charles Eugene Ferris, 50, and Christopher Hicks, 36, were both arrested Sunday on charges of felony aggravated assault, according to WREG.

Authorities say Ferris made up a story to cover for Hicks, claiming that he was hired to protect an "asset" who paid him $200 to follow him into the woods at Hobbs State Park.

Ferris then related that the pair went out into the woods and met another unidentified man at around 10 P.M, according to a probable cause affidavit. He claimed that when they met the third man in the woods, the shooting started.

Ferris said he was struck six times before driving away with the “asset,” whom he claimed dropped him back at his car. He later drove himself to Mercy Hospital.

But when Ferris’ wife arrived at the hospital, she told police that her husband and Hicks shot each other while drinking on the back porch of their home on Deer Run Lane in Rogers.

Ferris later admitted to police that he made up the tale because he was afraid that Hicks would get into trouble, according to the affidavit. He explained that he had been wearing the vest when he asked Hicks to shoot him with a .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle.

He then became annoyed because the shot hurt and, after Hicks put the vest on, he “unloaded the clip into Christopher’s back.” Hicks suffered bruising following the gunshots.

Both men have been released on $5,000 bonds, and a judge has issued a no-contact order between them.

They are due in court on May 3, where both men face up to six years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Read more: WREG, The Smoking Gun