Former Student Leader Shot in Back Speaks

Saturday shooting put former U. of South Carolina student in hospital

The former student body president from the University of South Carolina who was shot in the back during a robbery last Saturday spoke to NBC4 about his ordeal.

"It feels great to be alive," said Andrew Gaeckle this week.  "They said that it was a miracle that the bullet did not hit me in the spinal chord."

Gaeckle, 24, said he had just gotten off a bus near his home at First and P Streets in Northwest last weekend when the incident occured.  He was talking on the phone and heading to a nearby Chinese restaurant when he was stopped by a robber.

Gackle said the thief took his wallet, phone, and car keys at gun point.  The robber then threw the keys down to the sidewalk, and when Gackle bent down to pick them up, he was shot in the back.

Gaeckle moved to D.C. from South Carolina to pursue his career after graduation. 

Contact Us