Miller's Condition Unknown, Still in Need of Blood, Wounds Caused by .22

It’s been over 36 hours since a hunting accident involving a .22 rifle severely injured 18-year-old McCall Miller, and after more than 45 units of blood and a medically-induced coma, Miller’s life still hangs in the balance.

Miller, an experienced hunter, had been spending the weekend as he had a thousand past: out with a small group of friends on a stretch of land his family owns in Mertzon, calling foxes and hunting.

At roughly 7:45 p.m., Miller was demonstrating to a friend how to shoot, when the unthinkable happened.

“Him and another boy were standing in the back of a truck—I guess the other boy had never been hunting before and McCall was going to show him how—then all of a sudden he was just screaming ‘Take me to the hospital! Take me to the hospital!’” Miller’s sister stated, adding "Someone else didn't shoot him."

Miller’s friends put him in the truck and rushed him to the hospital emergency room. The caliber of the rifle had meant that the bullet ricocheted around his organs, the sister said.

At the hospital, Miller was given over 45 units of blood over a span of 36 hours. The bullet had lodged in his liver and his wounds were not clotting, according to the sister.

According to a Facebook event page, the bullet was initially believed to have nicked the aorta, however doctors stated Monday that this wasn’t the case, says his sister, “It didn’t hit an aorta, it hit one of the veins that brings bad blood back to the heart,” Miller’s sister explains on the phone. A Facebook post further states that 'the acid in his veins had been keeping his blood from clotting'.

Initial reports on Monday were that Miller’s condition had bettered, however these reports have been retracted and his current status remains unknown. Sometime this afternoon he is scheduled for surgery. It is unknown how many more units of blood Miller may need between now and recovery, however the units he’s using have lessened.

The family has set up a blood drive with United Blood Services (UBS) on Miller’s behalf, and are asking all donors to come and help replenish the supply. Donations may be made at any UBS location, however must be made in Miller’s name if he is to receive the blood.

Miller’s blood type is A+, however O+ may be used as well. After the number of serious vehicle accidents over the weekend and the anticipation that it will only get worse, donors of all types are encouraged to donate.

The UBS San Angelo location is at 2020 W Beauregard. UBS representatives strongly suggest making an appointment by calling 325-223-7500 between 9am and 5pm. People can also go to www.unitedbloodservices.org, click on donate now and then enter a zip code.

Citizens may also help the family by donating a meal. Tabitha Eggemeyer setup a "bring a meal to the hospital" for the family. She says, "It is hard being at the hospital and not wanting to leave and to have to pay for food every meal."

Signing up is simple: you just click the link and then type in "Miller" and the password is 3976.

As Miller prepares for surgery this afternoon, his sister reminds everyone of something very important to her and her family. "We need a prayer," she says, "we need a prayer."

Updated 11/25/2013 at 4:15 p.m.

The Irion County Sheriff's Office has stated that the cause of the accident is currently under investigation. "There have been people in and out of the office all day giving interviews," the secretary said. 

Chief Deputy Johnny Walker of the Irion County Sheriff's Office confirmed the events and the timing of the accident, and that a surgery is scheduled for the afternoon. No further details could be given at this time.  

This story will be updated as it develops.

For updates on Miller's status, visit the Facebook page run by his sister and another friend here.