Lewiston shooting survivor Gavin Robitaille at Massachusetts General Hospital. Robitaille was recently released from the hospital, his family said Wednesday. Courtesy Massachusetts General Hospital
A teenage victim of the Lewiston mass shooting has been discharged from Mass General for Children in Boston.
Gavin Robitaille’s family released a statement Wednesday thanking Mass General and Central Maine Medical Center for their help in saving his life and “seeing all of us through our darkest moments.”
Robitaille, a 16-year-old Edward Little High School sophomore, was severely wounded after being shot by Robert Card on Oct. 25 at Just-In-Time Recreation, a bowling alley on Mollison Way. He was bowling that night with his mother and brother, while his father was with his grandfather at Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant on Lincoln Street in Lewiston – another site where Card opened fire with an assault-style rifle before taking his life in Lisbon.
In all, Card killed 18 people and injured 13 others, including Robitaille. The medical team at Central Maine Medical Center performed emergency surgery to stabilize Robitaille after he was taken there following the shooting. He was later transferred to the Boston hospital.
Robitaille’s father left Schemengees before Card arrived, and his mother, brother and grandfather were not injured.
Lewiston shooting survivor Gavin Robitaille with his doctor and family at Massachusetts General Hospital. Courtesy Massachusetts General Hospital
Robitaille has undergone several reconstructive surgeries to repair his arm, as well as muscle and nerve damage.
“While we are thrilled to be back home, Gavin is beginning a long road of follow-up care, much of it in Boston for the foreseeable future,” his family said. “The journey ahead is long, tough and financially hard, but we count ourselves exceedingly lucky to be surrounded by friends and loved ones. We can’t thank everyone enough for the ongoing outpouring of generosity, warmth and love, as well continued respect for our privacy as we embark down a long road of healing as a family.”
Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, left, with Lewiston shooting survivor Gavin Robitaille at Massachusetts General Hospital. Courtesy Massachusetts General Hospital
The family also thanked Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk for visiting Robitaille at the end of his hospitalization.
“It brought a much-needed smile to all our faces – especially Gavin’s!” the statement said.
Robitaille’s next surgery is scheduled for Dec. 27 at Mass General, according to a GoFundMe campaign that family friend Deb Soucy established to help with costs for Gavin’s recovery. It had raised over $56,000 as of Wednesday night.
A pitcher on the baseball team, Robitaille also enjoys playing golf, according to the GoFundMe page.
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