Aiken Walmart shooting victim leaves hospital
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Ashton Rickard, the 13-year-old girl injured in a shooting at an Aiken Walmart, has gone home from the hospital.
Her mother broke the news in a Facebook post just before 2 p.m. Thursday.
Ashton was badly injured when she was shot June 7 in the Walmart on Whiskey Road.
Christopher Foreman, 32, was arrested and was denied bond. The motive is unclear.
The community has come together in of Ashton, selling bracelets to raise money for medical costs and organizing a blood drive.
The blood drive is planned from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at Mercy Church, 2700 Whiskey Road. Donors are asked to make an appointment online.
Ashton’s life was saved in part from more than 20 blood products donated by local donors, and more blood may be needed in the future.
During her first surgery, Ashton Rickard needed over 14 units of blood.
The normal human body only takes in about 10, so you can imagine her need.
All of those units were donated from our local Shepeard Blood Center. Now, you have the chance to give back.
With Saturday’s blood drive, you could play a vital role in helping fill hospital shelves with blood to help someone like Rickard.
“I got to watch her grow up and she was always a little spunky and a little sassy,” said Cameron Cook, manager of McDonald’s in Aiken and family friend.
Friends and family say Rickard’s got some fight in her and they’re gathering their resources to help out with the blood drive.
Angie Harrilson, owner of McDonald’s in Aiken, said: “The church reached out to us and wanted to know would we be willing to provide food for Saturday and we said, ‘Absolutely.’ We’re giving them hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and sweet tea for Saturday to the donors that come,”
Helping hands are spread out all over Aiken, even at the McDonald’s on Whiskey Road.
Cook said: “We can sit here, giving out burgers and fries all day. Taking people’s money, whatever, but you know at the end of the day what matters is the mark that you make.”
They’re giving back in honor of Ashton at a time when blood is needed most.
Ben Prijatel, president of Shepeard Community Blood Center, said: “Every day this week, our local hospitals right here in the CSRA have asked us for blood units that we’ve just not been able to provide. There are folks like Ashton, who are still in need and who may need blood in the future.”
And you never know when or if it could happen to you, so her friends say to please give.
Harrilson said: “Please, please because you don’t know when your family member is gonna need you know blood from the community,”
MORE FROM NEWS 12:
- ‘It’s happened in our backyard now’: Witnesses recall terror of Walmart shooting
- flows from Aiken businesses for young shooting victim
- 13-year-old girl undergoes several surgeries after Walmart shooting
- Community rallies for 13-year-old shot at Aiken Walmart
- Bond denied for man accused of shooting teen at Walmart
We talked to Ashton’s great-aunt, who is also a pastor at the church, about the uplifting community event.
“Ashton works in our media department upstairs for Sunday morning services. She’s involved in that. She’s involved in our youth. She gives hugs. Every time you see her, she smiles,” said Angie Murphy.
On Sundays, you’ll find the sanctuary full of people who love her. This week, they’ve dropped off cards and gifts for her.
And the love from local businesses just keeps on giving.
Sharon Squires, owner of Vendor Street, said: “Even though we’re a small town, we all come together with a big heart. You can purchase these here at Vendor Street. They’re $5 and all of the $5 is going straight to Ashton’s family.”
And Ashton’s great-aunt says the family is so grateful.
“I would also like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the community from her family,” she said. “They are so extremely grateful. She is doing well, but she’s got a long road ahead of her.”
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