LAKE COUNTY – After a gunshot wound to his head, Kelseyville resident Alvin “Waylon” Olson, 23, was released from Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Thursday, according to the hospital”s spokesperson, Priscilla Locke.
Locke said Olson was in “serious but stable” condition Wednesday, and was surprised to learn of his discharge Thursday. Olson was shot in the head when his friend”s .45-caliber handgun discharged during a struggle over the gun at a party in Buckingham during the early morning hours of March 31.
“He”s making a miraculous recovery,” Olson”s mother, Kelseyville resident Dawn Webb, said Thursday. “He”s doing really well for what happened to him.”
Webb said she”s encouraged that Olson can recognize and respond to his loved ones. A respirator put in place after he breathed alcohol into his lungs during the confusion at the party was removed, but Webb said Olson has not yet begun to walk or talk.
“He doesn”t walk, but he can sit and then go to a standing position and then go to a chair, which is exceptional for two weeks and three days,” Webb said.
Olson”s right side is paralyzed, and he still needs surgery to replace a portion of his skull that was shattered, according to Webb. She was on her way to see Olson Thursday as she had every day since he was flown to the hospital. She said he was expected to begin intensive, daily therapy.
“It”s going to be a year before he recovers. We”re just hoping for best, and every day it gets better,” Webb said.
Webb and a press release from the Lake County Sheriff”s Office said Olson was trying to help his friend, Chico resident Leroy Thomas Anderson, 27, when the gun discharged. Webb called the incident a “drunken brawl” that sent Olson and another man to the hospital.
According to the LCSO release, Anderson displayed the gun to “ward off” the aggression of Lakeport resident Teodulo “Junior” Tovar, 21, who was involved in a verbal confrontation that broke out between several people at the party. The bullet went through Tovar”s hand before it struck Olson”s head, according to the release.
Lake County Chief Deputy District Attorney Rich Hinchcliff said no official charges have been filed against Anderson, who was arrested on charges of assault with a firearm and willfully discharging a firearm in a negligent manner. Hinchcliff said the case is in his office, but has not yet been reviewed to determine whether to file charges.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
