Days after Justice of the Peace Judge Tom Gillam III was injured in a Houston shooting, his friend, city Councilman Willie “Bae” Lewis said Gillam is recovering nicely.

“Tom is doing fine,” said Lewis. “He’s coming along but they cannot remove the bullet out of his neck until the swelling goes down.”

Lewis explained that one of the bullets an unknown suspect shot at Gillam ricocheted off something and struck his neck, though it missed vital organs. Lewis said he spoke with Gillam and the judge could have the shrapnel in his neck for weeks as he waits for the swelling to diminish.

Gillam’s family has not made any public statements to the Port Arthur News, and a woman who answered the phone said they were not prepared to do so at this time.

The shooting remains under investigation by the Houston police and, as of Thursday afternoon, there have been no suspects taken into custody.