Killeen man a victim in Wendy's shooting
Posted On: Wednesday, Mar. 5 2008 01:54 AM
By Natalie T. Hull
Killeen Daily HeraldA Killeen man is in stable condition after being injured Monday in West Palm Beach, Fla., when a gunman opened fire at a Wendy's restaurant, killing one and injuring four before turning the gun on himself.
Carl Michalek, 43, of Killeen, was shot in the upper right arm and was listed in stable condition, according to a news release from the Palm Beach County sheriff's office.
"I never even saw him (the gunman)," Michalek said from his hospital room Tuesday. "I got hit right away and I don't know what happened after that."
According to recordings released to local media at a press conference in West Palm Beach, Michalek called 911 and reported the shooting.
"I just got shot," he said to the operator. "A guy shot up the whole Wendy's ... My arm is blown half off. I'm losing lots of blood. Hurry."
Michalek, was in Florida for flight training in preparation for a new job as an airplane pilot. He said he was moved from intensive care on Tuesday morning.
Michalek's name was not listed in the first reports of the shooting until his wife, Ruthanne, could be notified. According to reports, she flew to Florida on Tuesday to see him.
Until two weeks ago, Michalek worked as a salesman at Lone Star RV Center in Killeen. His former boss, J.T. Bowyer, said he quit because he was able to go back into flying commercial airplanes. Bowyer said Michalek was in Florida for a refresher course in flight safety.
"He's awesome," Bowyer said, describing Michalek. "Very dedicated person. Impeccable integrity. He would do anything in the world for you."
Bowyer is currently in Florida on vacation. Because he is 210 miles from West Palm Beach, he is hoping to visit Michalek in the hosptial today.
Paul Payson worked with Michalek at Lone Star RV Center. "We tried to get his information and to find out if his wife needed anything," Payson said about hearing of the shooting.
Officials in Florida are still trying to determine why Alburn E. Blake, 60, committed the shooting spree.
"We don't know any motive," said Paul Miller, a spokeman for the Palm Beach sheriff's office, adding that their investigation hasn't found any notes left by the gunman.
Miller said about 20 casings were found at the scene, 10 bullets of which struck victims.
"It's obvious he was trying to kill people, though," Miller said.
Brandishing a Glock 17 9 mm caliber handgun, Blake first shot Rafael Vazquez at point-blank range. Vazquez, a local off-duty paramedic, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Miller said Blake moved from left to right while shooting in the restaurant. Many people ducked under tables and Miller wasn't sure where each victim was in the room.
Finally, Blake shot himself. He was also pronounced dead at the scene.
Identifying numbers on the gun were "obliterated," Miller said, adding that tracing the gun's origin could take "a period of time" while the Burueau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms assisted.
Contact Natalie T. Hull at
nhull@kdhnews.com or call (254) 501-7442