Shooting victim’s condition improves but he still needs blood

A week after doctors painted a grim picture for shooting victim Michael Jacobs-Murphy, the Cassada Gardens man is said to be doing much better.
OBSERVER media understands that the 42-year-old awoke from his coma and is alert, but he is still in need of O-positive blood. Residents are encouraged to make donations at the Mount St John’s Medical Centre (MSJMC) laboratory in Jacobs-Murphy’s name.
Yesterday, one of the victim’s sisters said that while the prognosis from the doctors was that he had a 50/50 chance of recovery, her brother has opened his eyes and is now communicating with others.
“He is not quite out of the woods; he gestures and blinks to understand,” the woman said.
Jacobs-Murphy was rushed to MSJMC at about 1:30 am on July 16 after he sustained multiple injuries during a shooting in St Johnston’s Village.
The incident occurred while he was standing outside a bar.
Doctors operated on the then comatose patient, affectionately known as ‘I-Bob’ or ‘Bobob’, for over six hours to remove about seven bullets that were lodged in his chest and arm. He was kept in a medically induced coma until his turn around.
The condition of the father of three is still critical but the relative said the family is thankful to God for his recovery process, thus far.
The shooting victim who works as a construction worker is the father of three daughters and resided in Villa and Gray’s Farm before he recently relocated to Cassada Gardens with his grandmother.
Jacobs-Murphy was standing outside the bar that closed at midnight, and was talking to someone when a gunman opened fire striking him five times in the arm and at least two times in the chest. One of the bullets punctured his liver.
Two of the bullets also pierced the entrance door and the partition inside a three bedroom home where a woman and young girl were sleeping, before passing through and lodging in another house.
Up to late yesterday, police had not detained anyone in connection to the crime. No motive has been established for the shooting.
Anyone with information about Jacobs-Murphy’s shooting is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Department at 462-3913 or 14.