Woman shot in Pennsylvania shooting spree released from hospital

PITTSBURGH — A woman with local ties who was injured in a mass shooting at a gym in Pittsburgh this week is being released from the hospital today, Aug. 6, said her grandmother, Judy Shoemaker.

Jacqueline Gallagher, 25, was shot in the shoulder and in the back when a lone gunman opened fire in a L.A. Fitness aerobics class Aug. 5.

Gallagher suffered a shattered pelvis and still has fragments and a bullet lodged in her back, said Shoemaker, a native of Springfield.

“They’re leaving the fragments there” because an operation to retrieve them would be too risky, Shoemaker said.

Police say the gunman George Sodini, 48, killed three people and wounded nine others before turning the gun on himself. Judging from an online diary of Sodini’s, authorities believe he was targeting women because he was not successful in relationships, according to CNN.

Even as more details emerge about Sodini, Shoemaker said her granddaughter has not wanted to talk about the incident.

Shoemaker said Gallagher is surrounded by friends, family and her fiance. It will take at least two months for Gallagher to heal from her injuries.

Shoemaker said Gallagher did cancel her L.A. Fitness membership when gym staff called to check on her.

“She said that she never wants to go back there,” Shoemaker said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0374 or boutten@coxohio.com.

About the Author