A Tennessee man faces a long recovery after he was shot in the head while protecting his sister from an attack by her ex-boyfriend.

A small child witnessed the shooting and told police what happened, according to WTVC.

An affidavit says that the incident took place early Sunday morning, beginning when David J. Smith arrived at the home and accused his former girlfriend of sleeping with other men. The woman told police Smith had been drinking and had been violent in the past.

He left the house but returned a shot while later with a katana, a traditional Japanese sword used by samurai.

“Mr. Smith grabbed her by the throat,” the affidavit says. “He then told her if she’s not going to be with him, then she’s not going to be with anyone.”

The woman called for help, and her brother, Trevor Bennett, arrived with a gun and told Smith to let go of his sister. The woman’s young son soon followed after hearing the raised voices. The boy told officers that Bennett pushed Smith out the front door, and he stopped to help his mother before running outside.

“He said when he got outside he saw David on his back, just a few feet away, shoot Trevor in the head who was standing over him,” the affidavit says.

Police said Smith somehow got his hands on Bennett’s gun and shot him with it.

Smith fled the scene, and police arrived and found Bennett in the driveway. His father, Tracy Bennett, said his son is recovering after surgery, but doctors say a full recovery could take up to a year.

Police tracked down Smith the on Monday and charged him with attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and aggravated burglary.

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[Featured image: Trevor Bennett/family handout. Inset: David Smith/Hamilton County Jail]