'Remarkable' Officer Laboy Is Alive Following Shooting

Peter Laboy was shot in the temple Wednesday morning and it’s “remarkable” he’s alive, according to the chief medical officer of Medstar Washington Hospital Center, Janis Orlowski.

Laboy suffered a catastrophic gunshot wound to the head,” she said in a news conference in front of the trauma center in Northwest Washington, DC. “It’s remarkable he’s alive today.”

Orlowski told reporters that she remained “cautious and concerned” about Laboy’s condition, explaining that after a brain injury of this type there is significant swelling around the injury about 24 to 72 hours later.

“This is a difficult time to manage,” she said, adding, “We’re very experienced in this kind of injury.”

Orlowski said Laboy has not regained consciousness, but he has moved his arms and legs and “that remains remarkable.”

She explained that survivors of this type of injury typically require months of recovery and rehabilitation as well as physical and speech therapy.

The bullet did not exit his head, she told reporters. “This kind of bullet breaks into fragments and some of the fragments were removed…It’s obvious he’s a fit gentleman and most people would not have survived this injury.”

More on this story: 

• Donations Accepted for Wounded Alexandria Police Officer
• Former Alexandria Police Chief: Laboy a 'Fun Guy and Real Caring Individual'
• Son of a Cop on the Alexandria Police Shooting: ‘Officer' Laboy Is Also ‘Dad’
• Update on Condition of Officer Shot in Alexandria
• Lyles-Crouch in Lockdown Mode During Police Shooting