Trace Adkins is revisiting the night he nearly died after being shot by his then-wife, Julie Curtis, during an argument in 1994. Greater than three a long time later, the country star has managed to search out humor within the terrifying incident, joking that Curtis took their disagreement considerably further than obligatory. Adkins also explained why he selected to not press charges, insisting that he doesn’t imagine his former wife understood what would occur when she pulled the trigger.
Adkins discussed the shooting during a Tuesday appearance on Theo Von’s “This Past Weekend” podcast. “That took it just a little far, I assumed, ‘that was uncalled for, that was totally uncalled for,’” the 64-year-old singer said in a joking tone.
He then suggested the couple could have resolved their conflict without resorting to violence. “Just leave; let’s just call it quits and we don’t should go that far,” Adkins added.
The shooting occurred during an argument about Adkins’ drinking. In response to the musician, Curtis had turn into offended because he didn’t want to depart their home. Although the confrontation nearly killed him, Adkins said he never believed that Curtis had deliberately intended to cause such catastrophic injuries.
The Country Star Says His Ex-Wife ‘Thought It Was A Toy’
Adkins told Von he had never previously seen Curtis handle or fire a gun, although he knew she owned one. “I don’t think she even had any idea what that gun was gonna do,” he said. “I’d never seen her hold a gun, I’d never seen her shoot a gun. I knew she had one, but I’d never seen her use it. I don’t think she knew what was about to occur when she pulled that trigger, she thought it was a toy.”
Adkins’ comments reflect his personal interpretation of Curtis’ intentions. He has consistently maintained that he doesn’t imagine she was attempting to kill him. Nevertheless, the results were nearly fatal. Adkins said the bullet “went straight through my heart and each my lungs” before exiting through his right arm. The extent of the damage meant that he required emergency medical treatment and open-heart surgery.
Trace Adkins Has Few Memories Of The Violent Incident
Adkins admitted that his memories of the moments immediately following the gunshot remain limited. “I just remember getting off the ground, taking just a few steps after which going back down, that’s all I remember,” he shared.
The singer was subsequently airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where doctors worked to save lots of his life. In response to Adkins, medical professionals told him that the close range of the gunfire paradoxically played a job in his survival. Since the weapon was fired “at point blank” range, he said the bullet “didn’t have time to mushroom” and create much more extensive damage because it moved through his body.
Adkins survived the initial wound, however the surgery and recovery created one other grueling ordeal. “The recovery from something like that, that hurts, they don’t care, they only stretch every little thing and break stuff,” he explained. “They’re just attempting to get to your heart to save lots of your life.”
The Singer Refused To Press Charges Against Julie Curtis
Adkins and Curtis divorced later in 1994, however the musician decided to not pursue criminal charges against her. He also said he didn’t hold onto resentment over what happened. “I’ve just at all times felt like I don’t think she meant to do it – I just don’t think she thought it was gonna hurt me,” Adkins explained. “She thought I used to be indestructible.”
The singer previously reflected on his unlikely survival during a 2022 interview with PEOPLE. “It wasn’t my time to go,” he said.
Adkins has continued visiting a cardiologist routinely throughout the greater than three a long time for the reason that shooting. Despite the severity of his injuries, he said the physical pain didn’t leave as lasting an impression because the emotional hardships he has experienced.
“It was painful, but it surely didn’t sear my memory,” he shared. “The physical pain, broken bones and surgeries and bullets and getting beat up and cut, has never really bothered me. I actually have a high tolerance for it. It’s the broken hearts that left the deepest scars.”
Trace Adkins Has Been Married 4 Times
Curtis was the second of Adkins’ 4 wives. The “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” singer was first married to Barbara Lewis, with whom he shares two daughters. Following his divorce from Curtis, Adkins married Rhonda Forlaw in 1997. The previous couple welcomed three daughters during their marriage before separating in 2014.
Adkins married his current wife, actress Victoria Pratt, in 2019. His longtime friend and fellow country star Blake Shelton reportedly officiated their Latest Orleans wedding.