A police officer critically injured during a mass shooting at a Louisville bank earlier this year was released last week to go home as friends and loved ones cheered him on.
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Nickolas Wilt, 26, was an officer with the Louisville Metro Police Department for just 10 days, when he rushed into danger during the Old National Bank mass shooting April 10.
Regarded as a hero for rushing into danger and running toward the gunfire to try and help others, he was shot in the head and nearly lost his life.
But 109 days later, he was released Friday from Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, where he received treatment. And, according to Wilt’s doctors, he has made “remarkable” progress.
LMPD officer Nickolas Wilt is going home 109 days after being shot in the line of duty while responding to the mass shooting at Old National Bank. His heroic actions that day most certainly saved lives. pic.twitter.com/EuqNWQsDqf
— UofL Health (@UofLHealth) July 28, 2023
Despite his death-defying ordeal, physicians treating him said during a Friday news conference he can now speak, stand, walk, and swallow and has a “very good” long-term prognosis, ABC News reported.
He will reportedly continue outpatient therapy five days a week.
“It’s a long road; it’s a marathon,” Zack Wilt, the cop’s brother, told reporters. “But every single day … he’s in his chair ready to go, and out the door, he goes with his therapist. He’s putting in the work.”
Ofc. Wilt, family, and some of our other hero officers, Ofcs. Galloway, Moss, Shaw, and Smallwood accompanying him. Thank you for your service, Officer Wilt! 💙 #LMPD #WiltsWarriors #LouisvilleStrong pic.twitter.com/nuocESruYe
— LMPD (@LMPD) July 28, 2023
The Louisville Metro Police Department also released a statement praising his release, writing, “This is the day we have all been praying for.”
“Resilience, strength, courage, service,” the police department continued. “Those are just a few of the words to describe Officer Nickolas Wilt.”
The department said April 10 is now a day that forever changed the city. The shooter, who worked at the bank, murdered Tommy Elliott, 63, Jim Tutt, 64, Juliana Farmer, 45, Josh Barrick, 40, and Deana Eckert, 57, and injured others, including Wilt.
Wilt’s journey was a harrowing one, as he spent nearly a month in critical condition and underwent numerous surgeries and procedures; he also received rehabilitation, WAVE-TV reported.
“We are profoundly grateful to UofL Health’s amazing medical staff for their unparalleled care of Officer Wilt,” the department added. “His family, friends, and LMPD family are grateful to you all for your unwavering love, support, and compassion.”
Continue to pray for Wilt’s recovery and for the families of the victims and those recovering from this senseless act of violence.
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