Related
SAN JOSE -- Brynn Ota-Matthews, 23, and Gabriella Gaus, 26, are among the recovering 13 gunshot wound victims from the Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting, an event that left four others dead, including the gunman.
Matthews and Gaus expressed gratitude for the first responders who kept them safe, medical personnel helping them heal and the complete stranger who rescued them from the scene of the shooting.
"I can't say anything except I'm just happy to walk out of here. I wish everyone could say that," said Matthews at a press conference Thursday at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose.
Matthews and Gaus went to the festival together and were rushed to regional hospitals. They recalled the turbulent, shared experience, with Gaus saying, "We just have, like, the same images in our head."
In addition to the medical and emergency support the victims have received, a broad community of people have been chipping in to pay for that care. Along with GoFundMe campaigns, local organizations have also set up charity funds.
"People from literally all over have been donating to our GoFundMe's. People I don't know. My immediate Facebook friends have been reposting that but it says my GoFundMe has been shared 800 times," said Gaus.
They also issued a message of solidarity for the three victims, including two children, who were killed in the shooting.
"We're here for them. They're not here to share what they witessed and what they went through," said Gaus. "And to their families: we're so sorry. We love you guys, we're with you guys."