Officer's Family Still Hopeful For Recovery After Homewood Shooting
PITTSBURGH (KDKA)—The family of a Pittsburgh police officer paralyzed in a shooting earlier this month, says they are still hopeful that he will recover to the point that he will walk again.
Pittsburgh Police officer Morgan Jenkins was shot in Homewood April 11th.
Police say James Hill fired the bullet that hit near Jenkins' spine.
For the first time, city leaders are speaking publicly about his condition.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with him and he's got a long road ahead," Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Michael Huss says.
Sources say he remains paralyzed from the waist down.
Officer Jenkins' uncle says that the family is still hopeful that he'll regain the abilty to reuse his legs.
Officer James Kuzak knows what that struggle is like. He was shot and paralyzed in Clairton a little over two years ago.
"I'd want to just stay in bed and just forget the world. The pain that creeps in spasticity that makes your legs just lock up," Kuzak says. "It gets bad and it really does. Unfortunately no one gets to see that."
While Kuzak continues his own rehab, he has also met with Officer Morgan Jenkins.
"For some reason this affects people in a way they think their life is over," Kuzak adds. "I've had more fun in the last two years involved with the people that I've met and the helpful people I've met that I don't know."
Kuzak says the two officers share the hope that they will prove doctors wrong and walk again someday.
"I'm either going to walk or be the best I can be in this chair," Kuzak says. "Whichever comes first."
Officer Jenkins remains at Mercy Hospital. He's expected to be there for the next few weeks.
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