Alex "back the Beast" Andrews fund
On 2am, Friday morning (Jan 19th, 2017) Alex Andrews , owner of Thunder Bunny Tattoo Studio in Athens, Ohio, was shot through the window of his kitchen while preparing a snack, by an unknown shooter who hid in the dark. He was life-flighted to a trauma unit, where he endured over 4 hours of surgery to remove birdshots from his face, neck, chest, and stomach, and then another hours-long operation on his left eye. Two of the pellets entered his jugular, which amazingly, clotted immediately. And his speen was nicked - but all other major organs were missed altogether.
After 6 days in the hospital, 32+ stitches, and a remarkably fast recovery, he was transported to a specialist about his left eye. The result: He is completely blind, except for a sliver of light coming in, and at some point he might have to have it removed if his body starts rejecting it.
Alex is in need of funds to carry him from Pont A to Point B. Always full of resolve, he will need to retrain his eye so he can go back to tattooing. We're raising money to cover a few months expenses while he's getting back on his feet, and back to beast mode.
We know medical bills will be ridicilously high, and we'll help him through that later down the road, but for now he needs to take his time getting healed.
As of February 1st, 2017, the shooter is still unknown, as is his reason for shooting Alex.
Anything you can do to help would be more than awesome. Every little bit helps. And we appreciate every bit of it.
Thank you so very much!
Terri Jean
~ his mama ~
Update: Alex was diagnosed with nerve damange - stemming from the center of his neck. Pellets are near the nerves and spine. He's been referred to a neursurgeon in Columbus.
Update: Eye had to be removed. But he's adjusting. No surgeon will take his case.
Update: Life goes on. While waiting for a surgeon (it's now July) - Alex has launched a tshirt business locally. He's also practicing tattooing and singing again. He still can't play guitar, and his body has some atrophy, but he is getting better every day. The shooter remains at large.
To learn more about Alex, click here to go to his support page . I've posted more photos, a video of him waking up in the hospital after the event, a video of him singing that melts my heart, and lots more.
Thank you for taking an interest in my son's story.
Much appreciation ~ Mama T