Family rallying around woman recovering from gunshot to face
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An Indianapolis woman is recovering after being shot in the face last week on the southwest side.
IMPD was called to the 3400 block of South Lynhurst Drive around 8:40 p.m Friday.
Police said a man was also shot, but he did not survive his injuries. Police said the two victims were in a relationship.
Police identified the victims as 35-year-old Patrick Brown and 38-year-old Cecilia Land.
Land’s family told 24-Hour News 8 she has a long road to recovery. Doctors told them she lost her right eye and will need surgery to reconstruct the right side of her face. They’re just thankful the person accused of the crime is behind bars.
Rebecca Lawson, 26, is sitting in the Marion County Jail on a preliminary charge of murder and attempted murder.
She’s accused of shooting Brown and Land. Police said Brown and Lawson had an on and off relationship.
“She does have a gunshot wound to the face,” said Myers.
Annette Myers said it’s a miracle her mother survived the shooting.
“My mother is an absolute fighter. She’s so stubborn and hardheaded on every level, but that’s going to be such an advantage now that she needs to fight and recover,” said Myers. “I know that if not for herself then for her children she will do it.”
The mother of four will have surgery Wednesday. Myers said she got into town late Sunday night from Wisconsin. She rushed to the hospital to be by her mother’s side.
“I’ve been up there today for a good portion of the day and she’s really pushing through. She’s a very strong woman. She’s still in critical condition, but she’s trying so hard to communicate.”
Neighbors said they heard the commotion Friday night, but they didn’t know what happened.
“Well, we were sitting in the front room watching TV and I thought I heard like an ambulance,” said Lois Long, a neighbor. “The noise went off and I told my husband to look out the window.”
When police arrived on scene, they said Lawson surrendered. She called 911.
Police believe she drove passed Brown’s house and noticed Land’s car in the driveway. She called him asking to get her stuff. Police said Lawson shot the two after a disturbance outside of the home.
“I’m thankful that she is somewhere where she’s away from people where she can’t harm anyone,” said Myers. “I’m just thankful that in that end, the justice system has held up so far.”
Myers said her three younger sisters were home at the time. They were not hurt.
The family started a crowdfunding page to help pay for medical expenses. Click here if you’d like to help.
