An Arizona man shot in the head last month while street preaching in Glendale, Arizona, has been moved out of intensive care and into a long-term care section of the hospital.
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Hans Schmidt, 26, is reportedly making progress despite still being in a “delicate” situation, with his father, Eric Schmidt, recently telling media his son was able to open his eyes when he visited him over Thanksgiving.
“Hopefully he keeps trending positively the way it’s been going, because he’s still in a delicate condition,” Eric Schmidt told KNXV-TV.
The Glendale Police Department has offered a $10,000 reward for information on Schmidt’s shooting, with authorities also recently releasing disturbing security footage of the shooting. That footage shows the victim standing on a street corner before falling to his knees and getting back up.
At first, people didn’t realize Schmidt had been shot, according to police.
“It’s odd, because all of a sudden you just see him go down in that video,” Sgt. Randy Stewart of the Glendale Police Department told KNXV-TV. “But then he just gets right back up and collects his stuff and eventually ends up back at the church, where they really start noticing some things are wrong, and then get him to the hospital.”
See the security footage:
As CBN Digital reported, Schmidt, a 26-year-old dad of two and the outreach director at Victory Chapel First Phoenix in Arizona, was taken to the hospital Nov. 15 on suspicion of having been assaulted.
But a CT scan revealed he had been shot. Schmidt was initially in serious condition, as his family prayed for a miracle, imploring others to do the same.
Zulya Schmidt, wife of 26-year-old Hans Schmidt, has been relatively quiet about her family’s battle. But she wrote a touching Thanksgiving message on her Facebook page last month, expressing her profound gratitude despite the family’s tragic circumstances.
“So much to be grateful for,” she wrote. “I am thankful for the amazing husband I got blessed with and all the fun adventures we’ve experienced and will experience.”
Schmidt went on to write a message directly to her husband, expressing her thankfulness also for the love he has shown her and their children.
“You blessed me with two sweet and beautiful children,” Schmidt wrote. “You are such a great and fun dad! I’ve always loved and admired your humility and willingness to help and serve.”
She also expressed appreciation for the messages of support and emotional assistance she has received since the shooting made headlines and shocked the nation.
“I’m grateful for all the love, support, and prayers we have received during this time,” Schmidt wrote. “Lastly, so grateful for a God we believe in and serve who upholds us during times like this.”
She continued, “Hans should have been gone that first night, but he’s still here fighting. Please continue to pray for us! We desperately need it.”
Victory Chapel First Phoenix is currently raising money for the family and has been updating the public about the tragic situation.
Continue to pray for Schmidt and his entire family.
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