Victim Drew Pescaro Walks for the First Time Since UNC Charlotte Shooting

Survivor Drew Pescaro walks for the first time since the University of North Carolina Charlotte shooting at a hospital in North Carolina on May 13, 2019. Drew Pescaro/Twitter

A teenager who survived a deadly shooting at a North Carolina university is making a recovery, a video released on May 13 shows.

University of North Carolina (UNC) Charlotte student Drew Pescaro, 19, was one of the six wounded when a gunman opened fire and killed two people in a class at the Charlotte campus on April 30.

Nearly two weeks after the deadly attack, Pescaro uploaded a video of himself to social media as he took his first steps in hospital.

“Took my first steps without a walker today so I felt the need to share it with everyone #CharlotteStrong #DrewStrong,” he wrote on Twitter.

The 21-second video of the teen wearing a hospital gown and making his way through a hallway has been watched more than 60,400 times and attracted nearly 3,700 likes and 481 retweets.

There are no specific details on exactly how Pescaro was wounded and only that he has undergone at least two surgical procedures based on his Twitter activity.

“Drew has asked me to update everyone of his current condition. Yesterday, he had a second surgery and is back to recovery. We will be in the hospital for a bit longer,” Pescaro’s family wrote on Twitter on May 7. “Thank you to everyone for the continued support.”

Leaders from the social fraternity Alpha Tau Omega | Lambda Delta (ATOLD) said they were “saddened” by Pescaro’s injury.

“We can confirm that Brother Drew Pescaro of the Lambda Delta Chapter of Alpha Tau Omega has been injured in relation to the active shooter situation that unfolded earlier today at UNC Charlotte’s main campus,” ATOLD President Daniel Peccerilli, Vice President Josh Welland, and Health and Safety Officer Timothy Robinson wrote on Twitter on April 30. “He is currently under medical supervision at CMC and we will advise further updates as they come. Thank you all for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.”

Police investigating the shooting are still trying to confirm the motive behind the tragedy that claimed the lives of UNC Students Ellis Parlier, 19, of Midland and Riley Howell, 21, of Waynesville. Those who survived include Pescaro of Apex, Sean Dehart, 20, also of Apex, Emily Houpt, 23, of Charlotte, and Rami Alramadhan, 20, of Saudi Arabia.

Pescaro has received his fair share of love from his family members.

“I can’t say enough about my Mom who has been supporting me through this whole process,” he wrote on Twitter on May 12. “So much time has been devoted towards getting me better and she has been at the head of all of it. I love her very much.”

Representatives from the Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers players Chris Hogan and D.J. Moore have also taken time out of their busy schedules to come and wish Pescaro a speedy recovery.

“The entire Carolina Panthers team and staff have been amazing in supporting Drew through his recovery process,” Drew’s Twitter account stated on May 8. “Thank you, Chris—we loved you as a Patriot and can’t wait to see you as a Panther.”