14-Year-Old Girl Shot 7 Times by Young Boy at School: 'I Really Think It's A Miracle I'm Here'
On May 25, 2018, a 13-year-old student gunman opened fire on his fellow classmates at Noblesville West Middle School in Indiana.
Ella Whistler, now 14, was among the students injured. She was shot seven times in multiple areas, resulting in serious injuries and nerve damage.
Students returned to Noblesville West Middle School in Indiana for the first time since 2 people were injured in a school shooting on May 25.
13-year-old student Ella Whistler, who was shot, is still in hospital. pic.twitter.com/RDJhSsem2m
— AJ+ (@ajplus) May 30, 2018
“Ella suffered very serious, life-threatening injuries from being shot 7 times in the face, neck, hand, and upper chest area,” the family said in a statement last year, according to WRTV.
“She underwent emergency, life-saving surgery after being airlifted to Riley [Hospital],” the statement went on, “and her injuries include collapsed lungs; a broken jaw, clavicle, multiple neck vertebras, and ribs; a severed vertebral vein; significant nerve damage; and numerous related injuries.”
The journey hasn’t been an easy one with recovery hurdles and physical therapy to get through. But now, over a year later, the fact that Ella is here and thriving is nothing less than a miracle.
“I really think it’s a miracle I’m here,” Ella told Inside Edition. She credits her teacher, Jason Seaman, for saving lives after he tossed a basketball at the gunman and tackled the boy to the ground. “I think he saved the classroom’s lives,” Ella shared.
Cory and Julia Whistler, Ella’s mom and dad, are so grateful their teen daughter survived the events of that horrifying day.
“We got the news she was shot. Singular. We found out [later] multiple gunshot wounds. It’s amazing every day, thank God she’s still here,” her dad told Inside Edition.
Ella Whistler & Jason Seaman named Noblesville Fourth of July Parade Grand Marshals. #Noblesville pic.twitter.com/O1KSgoBxmg
— Lindsey Eaton (@LindseyEatoNews) June 30, 2018
Since then, Ella has been in the spotlight. She joined Seaman in 2018 as a Grand Marshal at the Noblesville Fourth of July Parade, according to the Indianapolis Star.
She also more recently had the opportunity to perform with the Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders. Way to go, Ella!
Liftable, a section of The Western Journal, has reached out to Ella Whistler’s parents for comment but has not yet received a response. We will update this article if and when we do.
Ella will start high school in the fall and is excited to move forward. While what happened was a terrible tragedy, it is inspiring to see this young woman smiling and looking with hope toward the future.
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