Bremerton school shooting victim seen walking in hospital
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SEATTLE -- Amina Bowman, who was critically injured in a classroom shooting, has taken a huge step in her long road to recovery.
Over the weekend, the 9-year-old girl took her first steps since the Feb. 22 shooting at Armin Jahr Elementary School.
In a video released by her family, Amina, flanked by loved ones, was seen gingerly taking small steps in Harborview Medical Center.
Amina was critically injured when a gun inside her classmate's backpack went off. The single bullet did horrendous damage. She sustained a serious injury to her small intestine and as a result, could not eat or drink. Doctors have bypassed one of the wounds with a feeding tube.
Over five surgeries, she's been on the operating table for 16 hours. She needed 30 units of blood -- her entire blood volume. She is without a gall bladder, and the largest vein in her body is destroyed. A metal plate holds her shattered elbow together.
"I think there were a couple times in the operating room, especially the first operation, where we thought we might lose her on the table," said Dr. Eileen Bulger, Amina's surgeon and director of the emergency department at Harborview Medical Center. "It was very touch-and-go."
The past month has not been easy for Amina or her family, but her parents are counting their blessing.
"Thank you honey for blessing us with another year and many many more years to come," her mother wrote on a Facebook page dedicated to Amina's recovery.
"Every day we have her, it's a blessing," said her father, John Bowman, during a previous interview with KOMO News. "We cherish every day we have with her."
A fund has been established to help Amina's family cover medical costs. Donations can be made to the Amina Bowman Victims Trust at any Bank of America branch.
The 9-year-old boy accused of bringing the gun that accidentally fired and wounded Amina received a deferred prosecution.
Jamie Lee Chaffin, the mother of the 9-year-old boy who took the gun to school, pleaded not guilty to third-degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm in the case. Chaffin's boyfriend, Douglas L. Bauer, pleaded not guilty to the same charges.
Over the weekend, the 9-year-old girl took her first steps since the Feb. 22 shooting at Armin Jahr Elementary School.
In a video released by her family, Amina, flanked by loved ones, was seen gingerly taking small steps in Harborview Medical Center.
Amina was critically injured when a gun inside her classmate's backpack went off. The single bullet did horrendous damage. She sustained a serious injury to her small intestine and as a result, could not eat or drink. Doctors have bypassed one of the wounds with a feeding tube.
Over five surgeries, she's been on the operating table for 16 hours. She needed 30 units of blood -- her entire blood volume. She is without a gall bladder, and the largest vein in her body is destroyed. A metal plate holds her shattered elbow together.
"I think there were a couple times in the operating room, especially the first operation, where we thought we might lose her on the table," said Dr. Eileen Bulger, Amina's surgeon and director of the emergency department at Harborview Medical Center. "It was very touch-and-go."
The past month has not been easy for Amina or her family, but her parents are counting their blessing.
"Thank you honey for blessing us with another year and many many more years to come," her mother wrote on a Facebook page dedicated to Amina's recovery.
"Every day we have her, it's a blessing," said her father, John Bowman, during a previous interview with KOMO News. "We cherish every day we have with her."
A fund has been established to help Amina's family cover medical costs. Donations can be made to the Amina Bowman Victims Trust at any Bank of America branch.
The 9-year-old boy accused of bringing the gun that accidentally fired and wounded Amina received a deferred prosecution.
Jamie Lee Chaffin, the mother of the 9-year-old boy who took the gun to school, pleaded not guilty to third-degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm in the case. Chaffin's boyfriend, Douglas L. Bauer, pleaded not guilty to the same charges.
