Paramedics, Police Honored for Helping Wounded Teacher
Paramedics and police officers who helped save the life of a fifth-grade teacher hit in the head by a stray bullet were honored Wednesday by about 100 students and their parents at the South-Central Los Angeles school.
The ceremony was held on the grounds of Figueroa Elementary School, where Alfredo Perez, 30, was critically wounded Feb. 22.
Perez, who suffered brain damage, has been transferred from a hospital to a rehabilitation center. Two gang members are in custody and facing attempted murder charges in the shooting, which occurred when bullets were fired at rival gang members outside the school.
“The fact that he survived is attributable to the teamwork of everybody, and we’re very happy. We hope and pray he does well,” said Russell Arentzoff, a Los Angeles County paramedic.
The students also thanked actor Edward James Olmos and Mayor Richard Riordan, who wrote personal checks to pay for the bulletproof windows installed at the school after the shooting.
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