Good news out of Washington.
The state of Washington — Olympia, to be exact.
The father of a United States Army Ranger who was shot be a fellow Ranger this weekend says that his son is responding well to the medical treatment he’s receiving.
Joshua Keller was struck by bullets from the gun of Specialist Thomas Patrick Popek in Parkland, Washington.
Matt Keller, his dad, says he’s been fighting while in critical condition — a status due to where the projectile entered: his neck, extremely close to his spine.
“The medical staff has been fantastic,” Matt told The Olympian. “My son is alive and is going to get better because of them.”
He and his family are asking for prayers for Joshua, who’s scheduled to be discharged next month to start an education in Massachusetts, studying to one day become a diesel mechanic.
More the roommate’s legal situation, via The Olympian:
Popek was arraigned in court Monday on an assault charge …
Popek reportedly told investigators he had been playing around with his gun while cleaning the weapon when he pointed it at the victim and pulled the trigger. He says he didn’t know the gun was loaded.
This post will be updated with any further information on Keller, as well as Popek, who were both assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord.