John Gaeta got a letter in the mail that stirred up a bunch of ugly memories.
It was from Lee Boyd Malvo, one of the convicted snipers who terrorized the Washington, D.C., area in the fall of 2002.
Gaeta was one of Malvo's first victims.
He was shot in the neck Aug. 1, 2002, outside a mall near Baton Rouge. Last month, Malvo admitted to Louisiana investigators that he shot Gaeta, but he said he thought the guy had died. For whatever reason, Malvo decided to send Gaeta a letter of apology.
"I am truly sorry for the pain I caused you and your loved ones," Malvo wrote. "I was relieved to hear that you suffered no paralyzing injuries and that you are alive. Sincerely, Lee Boyd Malvo." The letter was dated Feb. 21.
Gaeta said he didn't see who shot him. He just knew that if he was going to survive, he had to pretend he was dead. It apparently saved his life.
He also said he's glad Malvo wrote the letter, but he's not sure if the apology is sincere.
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The shooting was one of many committed by Malvo and John Muhammad that left 10 people dead.
Muhammad was executed in November. Malvo is serving a life sentence.
