Surviving shooting victim was shot in chest, recovering at OHSU
PORTLAND, Ore. – A 15-year-old girl who was shot and seriously injured during a shooting rampage at Clackamas Town Center is recovering in the hospital after a successful surgery.
Kristina Shevchenko’s trauma surgeon, Dr. Laszlo Kiraly, said she came to Oregon Health and Science University “seriously wounded with an assault rifle wound to the chest.”
She was awake when she arrived, but her lung and liver were seriously damaged.
Surgeons operated on her that night, which Kiraly said was successful. As of Wednesday afternoon, she was listed in “serious” condition in the intensive care unit.
During a news conference on Wednesday, Kiraly said he is “optimistic for her full recovery,” although he said there would be a lengthy rehabilitation process. Doctors said they are also worried about problems caused by any unwanted infections.
“We are deeply grateful for the quick response of the emergency service providers, public safety and police officers as well as Clackamas Town Center staff,” Shevchenko’s family said in a statement. “We would also like to thank everyone at OHSU Hospital. We very much appreciate the incredible support we’ve received from friends, family members and the Portland community.”
“I was very impressed with the support her family offered,” Kiraly said, noting that family members have been by Kristina’s side the entire time. “It’s clear to me that she’s a very brave young woman.”
"She informed us today that the first person to be thanked is Alyona, her friend and schoolmate at Clackamas Middle School, who immediately called 911 and remained by her side until the emergency service providers arrived," the family said.
Members of Kristina’s family have created a Facebook page to provide updates and collect donations.
Kiraly said the kind of assault rifle used in the shooting typically causes severe damage to victims. Many of Kristina’s wounds were caused by the blast effect of being hit by such a high velocity round.
He said the wounds are different than doctors might see with a handgun. Gunshot wounds from this type of weapon are generally only seen with hunting accidents or police situations where they must use powerful rifles.
“These were serious, life-threatening injuries.”
Kristina was also a passenger in a van that was in a crash in August.
Read more: Complete coverage of the Clackamas Town Center shooting
So they took her all the way downtown from Clackamas instead of Kaiser Permanente which was a stone throw from the mall?
 @Chris Swanson Kaiser Sunny Side isn't a trauma Hospital.
 @Chris Swanson  OHSU has a trauma center, Kaiser does not.
Poor child. Such a powerful round to take and walk (make that run) away. She's obviously a strong girl who is surrounded people that love her. Hopefully her recovery will be quick.
My thoughts and prayers are with Kristina and the family and friends of Steven and Cindy, may you take comfort in the wonderful memories that you have in this time of great loss. My heart aches for you all. I hope that Kristina's recovery is speedy and with out complication. Bless her amazing friend Alyona, for thinking fast and sticking by her friends side in a scary situation. Â
The whole shooting is an event that no one should ever had to go through. If one thing go came from the whole even is that this sweet child is still here. Remember that the ones lost by the tragic event are helping God and are in no more pain.
God be with her in her recovery.
She's a fighter, hope she overcomes this and lives a long, peaceful, and prosperous life from here on out. Prayers are going out to you!
To close to home! My heart goes out to these families. Â You will be in my prayers!
Kristina, I am so happy you survived this ordeal, and are receiving so much love and support. Please know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many and are wished a complete recovery.Â
You were very brave, Kristina. Pleas take the time to recover fully. I wish you well. Remember this was not your fault and that this was a random act by the man that shot you. The best to you and your family as you go through the healing process.
My deepest sympathies and thought for the recovery of this young woman. Oh, yeah. And... tell me again... why do we allow these ASSAULT WEAPONS (aka: weapons of mass destruction) to be legal? The injuries they incur are MORE serious than injuries with more "conventional" weapons. What is the actual use of these type of weapons, other than mass destruction? It is utterly crazy that we allow citizens to possess these WMDs.
@mara1 They do not cause injuries more severe than other weapons, that's pure B.S. Any conventional hunting rifle is more powerful than the rifle used in this shooting. That's why the .223/5.56mm caliber isn't legal for big game hunting in many states, it's doesn't cause ENOUGH damage. The only thing that's different about these rifles are their looks.
 @mara1 First of all it's not an assault rifle, its an AR-15. The media just likes to call an assault rifle to scare people like you.Â
 @Beergod  @mara1  I've heard the "AR" in AR-15 actually stands for "Assault Rifle." That said, the guy could've done just as much damage with a deer rifle, without the pesky jamming problems that plague AR-15s and M-16s.
 @StealthActivist  @Beergod  @mara1 The AR doesnt stand for assault rife. It stands for Armalite, which is the original manufacturer.Â
@Beergod Gee.... if it isn't an assault rifle... used to assault and KILL PEOPLE... then... well... I guess I shouldn't be sceerred, huh? What a superficial and facile stereotypical response. Can't you come up with anything more... substantial?
 @VictoriaD1  @Beergod Guess what? I never said what you accuse me of. Listen. Read carefully. Your attempt to steer my comments away from what I actually said will not work. THESE WEAPONS HAVE NO RATIONAL PURPOSE other than to VERY EFFECTIVELY KILL SEVERAL PEOPLE IN RAPID SUCCESSION. And I dare you to use your handgun in a situation like this was. I dare you. It happened too fast, everyone was in such shock, and he was shooting in a random, unpredictable way. HA! You are the one fooling yourself if you actually believe you could have killed this guy. Rambo much?
 @mara1  @Beergod Mara1, I can come up with something substantial for you...It's narrow minded people like you that think that if you take guns out of the hands of all of us responsible gun owners, that will end this type of thing! WAKE...UP! Killers KILL...And of course we ALL know that criminals ALL register their guns! Guns kill, knives kill, baseball bats kill, cars kill on and on and on BETTER take them ALL away, make them all illegal...RIGHT? Well I'll tell you what...you can gladly run behind me, if we are ever in a situation together, where some loose cannon is hell bend on killing people, and I'll responsibly take out my handgun and do my best to keep you safe! How's that! Â
@mara1 I don't think anyone ALLOWED the weapon at the mall, where it is clearly is NOT legal. So the fact that it was ILLEGAL to have it and take it to the mall made no difference, now did it? Let's stay on topic, which is this young lady who is fighting to survive.
@Kachina Kachina, my point is that it is LEGAL to POSSESS these weapons! Why aren't there ANY politicians, either state or federal, who have the courage to point this out? The possession of this kind of weapon for a member of the general public is not allowed in ANY other advanced country. What is it about the good ol' USA that somehow makes so many resistant to making the possession of these WMDs illegal? And the fact that they were USED illegally ... well... that's like saying "Why make the possession of BOMBS illegal when it's only their ACTUAL USE that should be outlawed?" Well... ?? And ... it's a free country. When this kind of atrocity inflames my sense of injustice, then thankfully I have the right to state my opinion.
 @mara1 The POINT should be this young lady survived a horrifying event and people are posting wishes for her recovery. This really isn't the appropriate place to state your opinion on gun control.Â
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That being said, I wish Kristina a speedy recovery and send my condolences to the families Ms. Yuille and Mr. Forsyth.
 @opazax  @mara1  @Kachina I still don't understand why so many Americans get their panties all in a bunch over the idea of banning these ASSAULT WEAPONS! They have NO OTHER PURPOSE than to rapidly and thoroughly KILL MANY PEOPLE!! And they obviously work!! What is the fear here? We simply have no rational reason to make these weapons available to the average person. WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE SO AFRAID OF? Obviously, people will still do these things. The killer needed some kind of mental health treatment. He was a sick person. BUT HE DIDN'T need to have so many be so TOLERANT of the possession of these WMDs. Jeez, people. WHAT ARE YOU SO AFRAID OF?
 @mara1  @Kachina  Assault rifles simply aren't the issue. If that guy wanted to hurt people and couldn't get his hands on a rifle then there are plenty of other means of getting to the same conclusion. Even if assault rifles are banned, people will still go out and do these things.
If you like to donate use https://www.facebook.com/ClackamasShooting  Individuals wishing to contribute to Kristina's medical expenses can text the word "SUPPORT" to 28594. http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/news_events/news/2012/12-12-media-statement-from-the.cfm
This breaks my heart -- she's only 15. Oh sweetheart my thoughts are with you and your family, I am so thankful you are alive!!!
I hope you have a speedy recovery sweetheart! Thank god your alive!
It's nice to see the comments free from political discourse.
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I am hoping she can be out of the hospital in time for Christmas and that she can enjoy many decades of Christmases to come. Her family will be able to appreciate Christmas even more every year when they look at her.
Only 4 months after surviving a head on collision auto accident. What a trooper this kid is. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.Â
This little girl is so lucky to be alive--i hope she recovers and goes on in life helping others
 @Dave Greenup Hi Dave, I am a Greenup. Any relation to Clarence Greenup?
Can anyone provide a link to the Facebook page or where people can donate? I really would love to have the oppurtunity to donate.I would imagine the costs will be in the multi-millions of dollars.Even with insurance the extra costs involved will be enormous.
 @noneofyourbizzness This is the only page I could find? https://www.facebook.com/PrayForKristina
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 @jasony  @noneofyourbizzness If you like to donate use https://www.facebook.com/ClackamasShooting  Individuals wishing to contribute to Kristina's medical expenses can text the word "SUPPORT" to 28594. http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/news_events/news/2012/12-12-media-statement-from-the.cfm
 @jasony  @noneofyourbizzness Did not see a donation link on the site hope they come out with one I will be sending some help their way and hope everyone else does as well. No one should have to go through what those parents are and I am sure they are missing work to be with her so they will need financial help possibly even before the doctor bills come in..
 @FreedomRocks  @noneofyourbizzness And of all times of the year during the holidays :(
Keep up the fight Kristina. Â You're a strong young lady and will overcome this. Â Stay positive and heal quickly.
We all pray and hope for Ms. Shevchenko's full recovery.
Hang in their Ms. Kristina Shevchenko, praying for your full recovery.Â
Prayers for a full recovery for this young lady. My heart goes out to her family for what must be such a trying ordeal, but thankful she will be okay.
Wishing you well and for a full recovery, Kristina.Â
Wishing a fast recovery for, Kristina. I hope she's not also burdened with possibly knowing the two that didn't make it.
 @LipsÂ
We all know someone does. And they are suffering.
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We can all hope this little girl gets better.
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Just one more piece of evidence to tell me how much of a coward the monster is who shot these people, he targeted little girls IN A MALL during Christmas.
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He could only have been more of a monster targeting toddlers in a daycare.
Hope you make a full recovery and have great luck and happinessin the rest of your long long life. If anyone deserves it you surely do!!!
Best wishes and speedy recovery Kristina.
Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery.
I am glad to hear this young lady is going to be OK. I am sure the emotional wounds are going to last a lot longer than the physical ones. She is young and going to need a LOT of support. I am sure she is going to get it if I know this community- I believe people will rally around her that don't even know her.
Adding my very best wishes for your recovery, Kristina..! Â Â
Best wishes and prayers for your recovery,  Kristina! Â