TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) -
Tucson News Now's Chris Holmstrom met with Sgt. Carpenter's doctors and his wife
to give an update on how he's doing. They say he's making progress but he still has a long
way to go.
It's been four days since 46-year-old Sgt. Robert Carpenter
was shot in the head.
After the shooting, he underwent immediate brain surgery at
the University of Arizona Medical Center. It was Dr. Sergio Rivero who performed the operation.
His condition has been downgraded from critical to serious.
It's this progress that keeps his wife, Cindy, hopeful.
"There's changes, there's up and there's downs, but it's very
hopeful. And you don't know what you are going to see when you walk in
the door, but he's my husband and I'm glad he's here," she said.
Dr. Rivero says Carpenter's brain surgery was similar to
the one Gabby Giffords went through nearly three years ago. In fact, it was Dr. Peter Rhee
who operated on her.
As for Carpenter, it's still unknown where in the head he
was shot or what kind of gun was used.
Doctors say they'll keep that
information to themselves as long as the
shooting is under investigation.
The bullet did enter his brain and he did have brain injury
that Dr. Rivera operated on, but we can't say the trajectory or what it was.
As for the Carpenter family, their main goal tonight was
show thanks to the community and everyone in between who has shown their support.
"I want to thank my family and friends for their love and
support and all the meals that have been provided to us. We feel very
loved and appreciated. There's many other people that I'm sure I'm missing when
I say thank you," she said.
Sgt. Carpenter will remain at the UAMC as he recovers.
Copyright 2012 Tucson News Now. All rights reserved.
