Wounded Officer Alert and Off Ventilator
A CHP officer who was shot and critically wounded last week was taken off a ventilator Saturday and was talking to friends and family, a hospital spokeswoman said Sunday.
CHP Officer Rafael “Ralph” Casillas was described as awake and alert as he continued his recovery at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills.
“He was taken off his ventilator and is now communicating with hospital staff and family,” said Marie Ogilvie, a hospital spokeswoman. “His family is very happy.”
Nevertheless, Ogilvie said Casillas’ doctor described him Sunday afternoon as “still very ill.”
“He remains in critical condition, and due to the extent of his injuries, he is doing about as well as expected,” Ogilvie said.
Casillas, 31, was shot Wednesday after attempting to arrest 25-year-old Terry James Parker, a Granada Hills resident with a lengthy arrest record. Casillas spotted Parker’s car speeding down the freeway and attempted to stop him. Following the chase, the man opened fire on the Newhall-based officer and struck him in the abdomen, wrist and thigh.
Several hours later, Parker died after shooting himself in the mouth and being shot by police officers.
Since the shooting, dozens of people have donated blood for Casillas, an eight-year CHP veteran. He has undergone at least two surgeries.
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