DELAND, Fla. – Courtney Rickman has finally reunited with her children for the first time since being shot during a violent altercation at McCabe’s Bar in Deland, where 32-year-old Keshod Harris lost his life.
The DeLand police said the gunman shot seven times that evening. Six shots hit Harris in the chest, and one went through both of Rickman‘s hands.
“Currently, my right hand has six pins and some wires in it,” Rickman described. “There is extensive nerve damage, ligament damage, tissue damage, and all three of my finger metacarpals were crushed and needed reconstruction.”
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Rickman, a bartender at McCabe’s, was discharged from the hospital Wednesday afternoon.
DeLand police said Rickman was just trying to break up the fist fight that night which led to the shooting.
She said that now she’s learning a new life of how to pick up things because her hands were so severely damaged after being shot.
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“I have two pins in this hand (left) but it’s gonna be a little bit of a process,” Rickman said.
The veteran said she’s had two surgeries so far, and there could be more in the future.
She’s thankful, even though her hands are damaged, because she is still alive.
“It was the most terrifying experience of my life. It happened so swiftly that I didn’t have time to feel scared then, but it keeps recurring in my mind, replaying over and over,” Rickman shared.
Police said that 24-year-old Avantae Williams, the accused shooter, is behind bars. He was booked into the Volusia County Jail on May 5 and faces charges of second degree murder by use of a firearm.
Rickman said that she’s glad Williams is behind bars, however, she wishes she did more to save Harris’ life.
“It made me feel a little bit of relief. Obviously it doesn’t bring that gentleman back that passed away, but it might get him some justice,” Rickman said.
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