Five Pts. Shooting Victim Hears Gunshot in Nightmare

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “This message is burned in our soul,” says Ron  Johnson.

Monday afternoon, eight days after his 18 year old stepdaughter Martha Childress was shot in 5 Points, Ron Johnson addressed the media. 

“This may have taken away her legs, but not her brain and her heart,” says Johnson.

Johnson says they told the USC Freshman she was paralyzed the day after the shooting. 

While Martha is on the road to recovery, the man charged – 21 year old Michael Juan Smith – remains behind bars. 

The search for three other men who, police say, may have gotten into an argument with Smith on the night of the shooting, is ongoing. 

Also ongoing, the fight to win 5 Points back from crime. 

“It’s safer inside the bars than outside,” says Joe McCulloch, Attorney. 

McCulloch, who represented the Childress family Monday, spoke about “Martha’s List” during the press conference. 

The list compiles “action points” that deal with local police departments and universities working together to stop crime in the area. 

The list includes:  Police cooperation, detection dogs – that can be trained to detect firearms, monitoring surveillance cameras currently in 5 Points in real time, and safe passage like shuttles from local colleges. According to McCulloch, Childress had been waiting for a taxi for at least 30 minutes before she was shot. 

Johnson says Martha is ahead of recovery, she does have a reoccurring nightmare where she hears the gunshot that paralyzed her.

If you would like to donate to help with Martha’s medical bills visit:  www.PrayForMartha.com