VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — One of the shooting victims recovering in the hospital after Friday’s mass shooting in Virginia Beach is in fair condition, and is thanking those who helped save her life.
Melanie Coffey was rushed to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital on Friday in critical condition via Nightingale helicopter. She was moved from the ICU on Monday, Sentara officials said, and was listed in fair condition on Wednesday.
Coffey released this statement Wednesday:
I want to offer my sincere and heartfelt thanks to the Virginia Beach police officers who intervened and EMS volunteers who helped get everyone they could to safety. You are heroes who serve our community every day and I am grateful for your service.
Melanie Coffey
To my friends, family members, coworkers and the City of Virginia Beach, who are offering compassion and support, I thank you. Your encouragement is helping me prepare for the next steps in recovery from this terrible crime.
I want to thank the skilled and caring professionals with Sentara hospitals and Nightingale, who helped save my life and continue to care for others.
I am just one person affected by this tragedy in our community. My hope is for courage and determination as we heal together.
I need to focus on my family and my healing and I request privacy during this time.
16 people in total were shot when a gunman targeted those in the Virginia Beach Municipal Center’s Building 2. 12 people died, and a police officer who was shot was saved by his bulletproof vest.
The other shooting victims’ families have opted to not disclose their conditions at this time.
