City worker shot says he didn't back down to robbers Copyright by KXAN - All rights reserved Copyright by KXAN - All rights reserved Austin Water employee shot on the job tells his story prev next

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Police are still looking for the men accused of shooting an Austin Water employee on the job Tuesday morning.

A 20-year veteran with the city, 69-year-old James Bushner was checking a water meter at the Dairy Queen on Manor Road, when the two men tried to rob him just before 5:00 a.m.

"Jack hammering, and I got the hammer and I broke it, jack hammering, and I look up like this and he was standing there with a gun over my head, pointed right at me. He said 'give me your money'," said Bushner.

Bushner told the man he didn't have money on him, patting his pockets. The robber didn't quit, continuing to demand money.

"So I said [to myself], you have to do something, this man going to kill you one way or another," said Bushner. "I stepped forward at an angle, I stepped forward and then he - POW!"

The man fired, and the bullet hit Bushner's nose and cheek. Bushner didn't back down, and the robber ran away.

"We have to revamp this, because that shouldn't have happened," said Bushner. "But it was an accident waiting to happen, an accident waiting to happen."

He doesn't blame Austin Water, but says the job can be dangerous overnight, especially when employees are alone.

"You're trying to do your job and get the meter out, and put the new one in and get out as quick as possible. And it's an unsafe environment," said Bushner.

Bushner is three months from retirement, and says he likely won't continue working for the city. However, he doesn't want to slow down and plans to work in some capacity after retiring.

"God saved me for a reason, saved me for a reason, I believe that," said Bushner. "He saved me, cleaned me up and kicked me back out there, so I may touch someone's life."

Austin Police believe the suspects targeting Bushner are involved in four other robberies. They all happened in northeast Austin near 290, between 4:45 and 6:30 in the morning.