JONESBORO, GA (WXIA) -- The woman recovering from a gunshot wound that investigators say was fired by Sheriff Victor Hill is expect out of intensive care as early as Wednesday, according to her father, Ernest McCord. However, her recovery will take months.
It's good news from Gwenevere McCord, who sustained what authorities had described as life-threatening injuries May 3 in Gwinnett County. She was with the Clayton County sheriff when he called 911 to report what he described as an accidental shooting.
Gwenevere McCord's father tells 11Alive News that doctors removed the bullet fired by Sheriff Hill only yesterday -- more than a week after the shooting that sent her to a Gwinnett County hospital with injuries that had threatened her life.
"It's a slow process" to recover, Mr. McCord said in an interview at his home Tuesday. "When you have that much trauma inside your body, it's going to take time."
Gwenevere McCord sustained one very damaging gunshot wound two Sundays ago during her encounter at her workplace with the Clayton County sheriff. McCord's father says the bullet destroyed her spleen, one of her kidneys, and part of her intestine before lodging near her spine. Doctors successfully removed the bullet Monday -- but Ernest McCord says it'll take six more months to fully heal his daughter.
"We're looking at six months or so," Mr. McCord said. "And if everything stays on target the way it's been going, we should be in good shape."
Last week, the Clayton County sheriff was booked briefly into the Gwinnett County jail on a misdemeanor charge of reckless conduct -- after telling a 911 operator he accidentally shot Ms. McCord while demonstrating what he described as "police tactics."
"I know she was concerned about being trained... to use a weapon," said Mr. McCord, who says he has held a license to carry a pistol.
Mr. McCord says his daughter was genuinely interested in acquiring a pistol for self defense. He says that makes Hill's story in the 911 call plausible. "That is my belief and I'm sure she's going to vouch for that as well" after she regains consciousness.
Gwinnett County district attorney Danny Porter said Tuesday Sheriff Hill still hasn't spoken with investigators about the incident, but said Hill has hired a new lawyer who is out of town this week. Porter says investigators are hoping to talk with the shooting victim as early as this week after she comes out of intensive care.
