Family: Gunshot Victim McCall Miller is Recovering Well

A family member of McCall Miller says that a final surgery to remove a .22 caliber bullet from McCall’s abdomen was successful. “He’s still in a medically-induced coma while his internal wounds heal,” the family member said.

No timeline was estimated as to when the coma will be lifted. “The bottom line is that McCall’s going to make it. He’s a tough kid,” our source said. Miller will have a long recovery once he gets over this hurdle. “He’ll go through physical therapy and eventually go back to being the 18-year-old man that he is,” the family member said.

In Irion County, where the hunting accident happened, Chief Deputy Sheriff Johnny Walker said that the investigation into the incident is ongoing in a face-to-face interview. Walker did not indicate that the Sheriff is currently eyeing any persons of interest, nor does he suspect wrongdoing in the incident.

Miller was shot by a .22 caliber rifle in the abdomen Saturday evening while hunting with friends on land in Irion County near Mertzon. Friends rushed Miller to Shannon Medical Center for treatment in their own vehicle. Miller’s loss of blood and internal bleeding complicated the treatment and delayed the surgery procedures.

Sunday, some family members sent out a request for blood donations.

At United Blood Services at 2020 W. Beauregard, the only blood center in the region that supplies hospitals, donors flocked to donate blood in Miller’s name. The main building and a special mobile unit were both maximized Monday, and appointments were filled throughout Tuesday and Wednesday. UBS decided to open on Black Friday after Thanksgiving to accommodate demand for donors that the accident created.

“Accidents like this point and underscore the point that we need a steady stream of donors everyday,” said Linda Grace, Donor Recruitment Representative for the United Blood Services.

“It was the blood on the shelf that saved his life,” said Grace. “Blood is held in quarantine for 24 hours for the extensive testing that we do—even though they [donors] are coming in today, that blood won’t be available until this time tomorrow at the earliest.”

Miller’s family member was thankful that in spite of the family’s tragedy, it was used in a positive way to not only replenish the region’s blood supply, but to collect much more blood for others who may need it in the future.

“The response of the community was incredible, and greatly appreciated by everyone who loves McCall,” the family member said.

 “The two day total is over 250 pints of blood donated. We are grateful to every single donor who volunteered to donate the gift of life!” said Grace.

“People still can help by donating Wednesday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. and on Friday between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. or Saturday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.,” she said.

Grace indicated that UBS is still anticipating high demand for blood as the holiday traveling season, with its ensuing vehicle accidents, begins Wednesday for Thanksgiving.

To make donating faster you can go online to http://www.unitedbloodservices.org/ to fill out the health questionnaire ahead of time so that all you have to do is have vitals taken at the center.

“It streamlines the process,” explained Grace. “But it must be done the same calendar day as the donation.”

For more information visit http://www.unitedbloodservices.org/ or call (325) 223-7500.