1 year ago
28
She walked slowly into the TV station holding her mother’s arm. She was unsteady, slow, and cautious.For the first time since the mass shooting in Dadeville, Trinity Richards agreed to a TV interview. She smiled as she shook my hand. Her friend shuffled into the TV station, quiet and reserved. Cara Johns' blonde hair was gone, and her short brunette hair covered the scar. She agreed to join her friend for the interview because she loves her. They giggled as they hugged.Three months seems like so long ago to the teenagers, yet it also seems like yesterday. The Pike Road Miracles have seen their lives changed. It’s what happened when they were shot a combined seven times. It’s what happened when the friends were both shot in the head.They hugged long and hard, and in that moment, they healed a little more. They were both on their way to physical therapy in Birmingham, and they agreed to stop by WVTM 13 to tell News Anchor Rick Karle their story.It’s the story of tragedy and loss, hope and faith – and similarities that are chilling. The Pike Road Miracles told Rick how they survived. They’ve been great friends since the ninth grade. Johns and Richards are also cheerleading teammates. They leaned on one another then, and they lean on one another now. Sharing how they thought they were dead and lived to talk about it.“Something didn’t feel right when I walked into that birthday party,” Johns said.“I looked to the side and saw a young man with a gun. It’s the last thing I remember.”“I remember hearing my friend’s mom announce that if anyone was over 18 and had a gun, they had to leave," Richards said. "I don’t remember anything after that.”The two were the only teenagers from Pike Hill to travel to the birthday party in Dadeville.Ninety rounds of gunfire rocked the building. Four people died, and more than 30 people were injured.Johns was shot three times, Richards four. Both were rushed to emergency rooms.“When I first woke up, I thought I was in a car accident,” Johns said.“It took me several weeks to figure out what happened," Richards said.Surgeons removed the bullets from their brains, leaving their skulls open to give their brains room to swell.“I thought I did die because I had strange dreams about Heaven,” Johns said.I asked the Pike Road Miracles if they could figure out why they survived.“I think the more you pray, the more good things happen,” Johns said. “We have had a lot of support.”“I think God spared us because He wants us to do great things," Richards said.Both Cara and Trinity would like to return to school next month for their senior years, but they know that’s a 50/50 proposition. They know their cheerleading careers are all but over, but in many ways, their lives are just beginning.Richards wants to work in the medical field, while Johns wants to be a dentist.The next few months are important for both of the survivors. Richards will soon have a skull flap attached to close her skull, while Johns battles eye and shoulder issues. At the same time, they also promised that their best moments are yet to come.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —
She walked slowly into the TV station holding her mother’s arm. She was unsteady, slow, and cautious.
For the first time since the mass shooting in Dadeville, Trinity Richards agreed to a TV interview. She smiled as she shook my hand. Her friend shuffled into the TV station, quiet and reserved. Cara Johns' blonde hair was gone, and her short brunette hair covered the scar. She agreed to join her friend for the interview because she loves her. They giggled as they hugged.
Three months seems like so long ago to the teenagers, yet it also seems like yesterday. The Pike Road Miracles have seen their lives changed. It’s what happened when they were shot a combined seven times. It’s what happened when the friends were both shot in the head.
They hugged long and hard, and in that moment, they healed a little more. They were both on their way to physical therapy in Birmingham, and they agreed to stop by WVTM 13 to tell News Anchor Rick Karle their story.
It’s the story of tragedy and loss, hope and faith – and similarities that are chilling. The Pike Road Miracles told Rick how they survived.
They’ve been great friends since the ninth grade. Johns and Richards are also cheerleading teammates. They leaned on one another then, and they lean on one another now. Sharing how they thought they were dead and lived to talk about it.
“Something didn’t feel right when I walked into that birthday party,” Johns said.“I looked to the side and saw a young man with a gun. It’s the last thing I remember.”
“I remember hearing my friend’s mom announce that if anyone was over 18 and had a gun, they had to leave," Richards said. "I don’t remember anything after that.”
The two were the only teenagers from Pike Hill to travel to the birthday party in Dadeville.
Ninety rounds of gunfire rocked the building. Four people died, and more than 30 people were injured.
Johns was shot three times, Richards four. Both were rushed to emergency rooms.
“When I first woke up, I thought I was in a car accident,” Johns said.
“It took me several weeks to figure out what happened," Richards said.
Surgeons removed the bullets from their brains, leaving their skulls open to give their brains room to swell.
“I thought I did die because I had strange dreams about Heaven,” Johns said.
I asked the Pike Road Miracles if they could figure out why they survived.
“I think the more you pray, the more good things happen,” Johns said. “We have had a lot of support.”
“I think God spared us because He wants us to do great things," Richards said.
Both Cara and Trinity would like to return to school next month for their senior years, but they know that’s a 50/50 proposition. They know their cheerleading careers are all but over, but in many ways, their lives are just beginning.
Richards wants to work in the medical field, while Johns wants to be a dentist.
The next few months are important for both of the survivors. Richards will soon have a skull flap attached to close her skull, while Johns battles eye and shoulder issues.
At the same time, they also promised that their best moments are yet to come.
English (US)