Atlanta, GA
Road rage shooting leaves Atlanta man with life-altering injury
Tales of Survival: Man opens up about capturing that left him paralyzed
Thirty-three-year-old man opens up for the primary time a couple of 2020 capturing that left him paralyzed in a single hand. Right this moment, he makes use of that have to energy a constructive podcast about psychological well being.
ATLANTA – Inside his Southwest Atlanta dwelling, John Laster is able to discuss. And, he needs you to know, he’s doing rather a lot higher lately.
“I hold a constructive mindset,” he says. “I began a podcast, based mostly off psychological well being. I’ve some nice visitors, we have now nice conversations, it is genuine. They speak about what has affected them, what’s probably the most traumatic factor they went via.”
However, that is the primary time the 33-year-old has talked publicly about what he went via, what he lived via. What he *lived* via.
“I couldn’t imagine I used to be about to die from a gunshot to the arm, at 12:30 p.m. on a Wednesday,” Laster says.
It was August 18, 2020, he was driving to choose up lunch at his favourite Decatur restaurant.
“I am driving down I-20, get off the expressway,” he remembers.
Laster stopped at a purple mild. It turned inexperienced, however he was distracted.
“And once I wasn’t listening to the purple mild, the automotive behind me, which was was a truck, then blew its horn,” he says.
That is Atlanta; individuals honk on a regular basis. However this man was not letting it go.
“I am like, ‘Is that this actually taking place?’ Laster says. “It was like, wow.”
The opposite driving began making an attempt to swerve round Laster’s automotive.
What occurred subsequent nonetheless bewilders him.
“It was complicated as a result of there was no interplay apart from me not listening to the purple mild,” he says. “There was no sturdy language used. There was no fingers pointed at one another. There was nothing.”
On the subsequent mild, the truck driver pulled up into the alternative lane, proper beside Laster’s automotive.
That’s when he noticed the gun.
“As quickly as I see the gun, I went like this,” he says, lifting his left arm over his face. “Immediately, after I went like this, I used to be shot. I used to be hit within the arm, blood, glass, busts in every single place.”
Every little thing went silent, and Laster says he went into “survival mode.”
John Laster, 33, survived a street rage assault that left his left hand paralyzed..
He drove himself to a close-by gasoline station, asking some building employees for assist.
“It was, like, ‘Get to the place persons are,’” Laster says. “As a result of. if I might have stayed the place I used to be, I positively would have died. That is how a lot blood I used to be dropping.”
Rushed by ambulance to Grady Memorial Hospital, Laster was taken into emergency surgical procedure to attempt to cease the bleeding.
“I used to be shot in my left bicep, the bullet went via and thru,” he says. “It hit the brachial artery. Your arm has three nerves. He broken two of these nerves. They took nerves out of my leg our of my leg proper right here, and put them into my arm.”
The hope: with time and plenty of occupational and bodily remedy, the transplanted nerves from his calf would reconnect and get up his now paralyzed left hand.
Laster wanted his left hand.
When he was two, he had three fingers on his proper hand amputated after creating gangrene from a wound. He’d grown up doing all the pieces along with his left hand, which was no longer shifting.
“I all the time wished to make individuals, show to individuals, I can do it, I am not handicapped,” Laster says. “I can decide up a field, I can shoot basketball, I can do that. I am not what you name me.”
However the bullet, had accomplished an excessive amount of harm.
“It has been two years, and I nonetheless cannot open my hand,” he says, lifting up his left arm. “That is the outcome, is the claw hand. My hand can not open up. That is what I am coping with. That is my weakest hand now. It positively altered my life. I am unable to placed on a belt. I am unable to tie my footwear. I would like help with plenty of the issues that I do, however I do not let it cease me. I attempt to do it first earlier than I ask for assist.”
For months after he got here dwelling from the hospital, Laster was in deep melancholy. There have been no witness to the capturing, no suspect, and nobody has ever been charged.
“That had rather a lot to do with my melancholy, not realizing who did it,” he says.
Right this moment, Laster is working once more, as a music supervisor.
He typically fantasizes about what he would ask the person who shot him, if he may get him on his podcast.
“Like, ‘what have been you going via that day, why such rage in such little time, similar to that, you already know what I imply?’” Laster says. “However, the most effective factor I did out of this case is forgave the one that shot me.”
Letting go helps John Laster take again management of his story.
“If I used to be to be bitter and damaged, it will give the one that shot me vitality over me,” he says. “That is how I take a look at it.”
The Atlanta Braves have already had an injury-plagued 2024 season, from Spencer Strider, to Ronald Acuña Jr., and many in between. There are several players, though, who now come with positive updates regarding their recovery status.
Michael Harris II, who suffered a hamstring strain on June 14, has begun hitting and throwing. He has not yet been cleared to run, but his return may not be too far away.
Tyler Matzek has been crow hopping from 90 feet, after he was placed on the injured list on May 7 with elbow inflammation.
A couple more injury updates: Harris (hamstring) has been hitting and throwing, but he hasn’t been cleared to begin running. Matzek (left elbow inflammation) has felt good while crow hopping from 90 ft.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) June 28, 2024
As for A.J. Minter, another rehab start is coming up on Sunday, which will set him up to be activated early next week. He hit the 15-day injured list on May 30 with left hip inflammation.
And lastly, the road to recovery continues for Ian Anderson, as his rehab assignment was transferred to the Augusta GreenJackets.
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Charlie Morton was stellar and the offensive was explosive as the Braves downed the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-1.
In his Double-A debut, Lucas Braun fanned nine. More in the minor league recap.
MLB Pipeline’s latest mock draft has right-hander Braylon Doughty to Atlanta.
Carson Benge’s name has come up in plenty of mock drafts. He was originally projected to land with the Braves, but his draft stock has gone up to 12th overall.
The Athletic proposes four trade scenarios and how they could work in Atlanta’s favor.
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New York Mets reliever Drew Smith will likely require Tommy John surgery but is headed to get a second opinion.
The Philadelphia Phillies placed Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber on the 10-day injured list. Harper suffered a hamstring strain, while Schwarber goes down with a groin strain.
The Washington Nationals will reportedly call up top outfield prospect James Wood on Monday. The 6-foot-7 21-year-old has put up some ridiculous numbers in the minors.
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A Black business owner in Atlanta said he feels betrayed and blindsided.
The Trump campaign held an event at Rocky’s Barbershop on Wednesday, the day before the highly anticipated presidential debate.
Owner Rocky Jones said that’s not what he signed up for and now he’s speaking out.
“I really take pride in my business,” Jones said.
Jones said he welcomes customers from all backgrounds and walks of life.
“Mind my business and serve and give haircuts back to the community and have good conversations; it’s never been about politics,” said Jones.
He said his business has never been the site of a political event until Wednesday when prominent Republicans packed inside the day before the presidential debate in Atlanta.
Former President Trump called in at one point during Wednesday’s event.
“I feel like I have been betrayed,” said Jones.
Days before the debate, Jones said someone he considered a friend reached out to him about being the host site for a small Black business roundtable.
Jones said there was never any mention this was a political event.
Jones added he never heard from a Trump campaign representative either.
Jones said the timing of the event didn’t raise any flags that the event would be political.
“I honestly didn’t think about it. It was just once you say Black small business give back to the community, it’s like, ‘Okay, I’m doing it,’” said Jones. “Just be aware that it is election season, and the timing seems a little suspect.”
FULL DEBATE COVERAGE
Jones is warning other business owners to have a healthy dose of skepticism.
“Even though I trusted that person, I didn’t do the research I should’ve done. Now, I’m letting everyone else know you need to be aware of these calls,” Jones said.
Atlanta News First did make contact with the Trump campaign. They acknowledged our request but were not able to get us a response by airtime.
Jones said he was compensated for the two hours he had to close his business for the event but adds he’s now willing to give the money back.
Copyright 2024 WANF. All rights reserved.
Billboard ranks Get Up Anthems
Billboard ranks the best Get Up anthems of Atlanta — songs that energize and inspire the city.
ATLANTA – Atlanta native and musician Killer Mike recently teamed up with Billboard to compile a list of the best “Get Up” anthems of Atlanta—the songs that energize and inspire the city. Here’s a look at the top five:
- “Player’s Ball” by Outkast, T.I., and Rubber Band Man: Leading the list, this anthem is celebrated for its iconic beat and motivational lyrics.
- “March Madness” by Future: This song comes in second, known for its high-energy delivery and popularity in the city.
- “Cell Therapy” by Goodie Mob: Ranking third, this track is praised for its deep lyrical content and impact on Atlanta’s music scene.
- “Knuck If You Buck” by Crime Mob: In fourth place, this song is a staple at Atlanta events, known for its hype and rowdy energy.
- “No Mo Play in Georgia” by Pastor Troy: Closing the top five, Killer Mike highlights this anthem as an important piece for the city’s spirit and culture.
These selections showcase the diverse and influential music that has shaped Atlanta’s vibrant culture.
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