WASHINGTON – The doctors treating Alexandria police officer Peter Laboy say his survival is a miracle.
Laboy’s chances of surviving his injuries after he was shot by a taxi driver on Feb. 27 were one in 1 million, said Dr. Janis Orlowski, the chief medical officer at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where Laboy is being treated.
“You know I’ve been at this for 27 years so I have to tell you, this is one for the books,” Orlowski said during a press conference Thursday afternoon called to give an update on the veteran officer’s condition.
Doctors removed a portion of Laboy’s skull to remove some of the bullet fragments embedded inside the skull. Other fragments remain and Laboy will require additional surgery, she said.
A team of 100 people worked to save Laboy and have helped to stabilize him, Orlowski said.
She called Laboy’s most serious injury a “catastrophic gunshot wound to the temple.” And just two weeks after the shooting in Old Town, the officer has opened his eyes, can wave his hand and recognizes his wife and children.
But Laboy faces a grueling recovery of six months to one year. And doctors don’t know to what extent Laboy will recover from his injuries, Orlowski said.
Police have not said how many times Laboy was shot but said that the officer’s most serious injury was the wound to his head.
Police say investigators still have no clear motive for the shooting. Kashif Bashir, of Woodbridge, has been charged in the shooting and has a scheduled court hearing in April.
Bashir had been driving a cab police wanted in connection with an earlier complaint. Just before he was shot, Laboy had radioed that he was looking for the cab.
Police Chief Earl Cook thanked the community for its support and read a statement of thanks from Laboy’s wife, Suzi.
In the meantime, supporters and coworkers of Laboy continue their efforts to help with fundraisers and a blood donation drive.
The Alexandria Police Department will hold the blood drive from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21, in the department’s community room at 3600 Wheeler Ave. in Alexandria.
Interested donors are asked to schedule an appointment first with Inova Blood Donor Services by visiting inova.org/donateblood. Use the sponsor code “7980.” Or call 1-866-256-6372.
On April 21, the Capital Area Law Enforcement Foundation is organizing a golfing fundraiser for Laboy. The event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at TopGolf at 6625 S. Van Dorn Street in Alexandria. They will donate 100 percent of the proceeds to the Laboy family.
The entry fee is a minimum $25 donation, which includes food and two drink tickets. A silent auction will also be held during the golf event.
WTOP’s Darci Marchese contributed to this report. Follow @dmarchesewtop and @WTOP on Twitter.
