A Muskogee man was stable following surgery for a gunshot wound to the chest Sunday in connection with an assault at a church firecracker stand.

Police got a condition report on Darnell Gilbert from a Tulsa hospital about 9 p.m. Sunday.

Darnell Gilbert was shot about 3 a.m. Sunday by Wagoner Church of God Youth Pastor Charles Donnelly, 44. Donnelly and a 17-year-old member of his youth group were staying all night at the stand when a group of about five or six individuals arrived in one vehicle, he said.

The group had been to the stand about 20 minutes earlier, seemingly casing the firecracker stand, Donnelly said. But at the 3 a.m. visit, several individuals went into the back of the large tent stand, where the juvenile was, Donnelly said.

The youth was attacked and hit in the mouth, knocked down and then rolled outside the tent, screaming for help.

“Three subjects rushed Donnelly about that same time, who was outside the tent,” said Muskogee Assistant Police Chief Johnny Teehee.

“I shot — I was in fear of my life and Daniel’s life — I feel I did what I had to do,” Donnelly said in a Sunday night phone interview. “I’m angry. I’m glad he (Gilbert) is going to be OK but angry they put me in that position.”

The youth was taken to Muskogee Regional Medical Center and later released, Donnelly said.

“Daniel is going to be all right — he’s home. He’s got a dental appointment — he has some trouble with his teeth and mouth.”

Teehee said four juveniles are in custody in connection with the attack and one adult.

Donnelly said he had to spend some time as a reserve officer, completed state law enforcement training and had pulled a weapon before.

“I just never was in a position where I had to shoot anyone before,” Donnelly said.

Donnelly fired a 40-cal. handgun, the same size gun police carry, Teehee said.

It was the youth group’s second year to have their firecracker stand at K-Mart and their third year to have it in Muskogee without incident. Donnelly said he had been with the company five or six years and never had a problem.

He said they shut down their stand after the incident and called the company to come after the fireworks — which they did.