KUSA - The mother and son shot in a suspected road rage incident in Westminster are slowly recovering, according to a web page the family set up for public and community updates.
The Bigelow family gave 9NEWS permission Thursday afternoon to publish the pictures and the health updates posted on the Caring Bridge website.
According to court documents, Meghan Bigelow and her three sons were on their way to the dentist June 14, when they were involved in a road rage incident. The suspected shooter admitted to police he opened fire on the family, according to court records. He was formally charged with murder, attempted murder and assault Thursday.
Thirteen-year-old Vaughn Bigelow Jr. was killed, his mom Meghan and youngest brother Asa, 7, were critically injured. Middle brother Cooper, 12, was able to escape. Police documents from earlier say Asa is age 8, but the site lists his age as 7.
Editors’ note: 9NEWS carefully considers naming crime victims. This was true for this story as well. We have not named the surviving children until this article, as we were trying to protect their privacy and identity. 9NEWS decided to name the children now because the family names them in the health updates posted online.
In an email to 9NEWS, the family wrote: “The Bigelow Family is thankful for the outpouring of support from the community and many circles of their lives. For all of those who are interested in checking on Meghan and Asa (7,) the family has set-up and is administering a page on the Caring Bridge website.
“The Bigelows will need help going forward and are fortunate to have such a caring greater community.
One way any person can help is by donating blood. Blood donations and incredible trauma doctors & staff saved Asa and Meghan’s lives. The family asks that you consider donating blood in memorial of Vaughn Bigelow Jr. Visit Bonfils.org to find a donor center near you or make a drop in donation at Children’s Hospital.”
The Caring Bridge family page posted its first update June 17. It said Meghan Bigelow and Asa Bigelow went through multiple surgeries.
Court records say they were both shot multiple times.
The update on the Caring Bridge page from the same day titled “Bubba,” says: “We are all heartbroken about the loss of Vaughn Jr.”
The entry says the family hadn’t yet made funeral plans him.
The entry from June 18 says: “Thank you to all the friends and families that have been remembering Vaughn. He was truly amazing kid and he brought joy to many of our lives.”
The entry from June 19 talked about Meghan Bigelow.
“She has shown some progress towards healing,” the entry says. “Today she had her second day of PT. This means that her workout was to sit up in a chair.”
The update from June 20 talked about Asa, who had a “better day.”
“He was more alert today,” the post says. “We were all so excited to get to see him as the little boy we love so dearly.”
The post also says that Cooper was spending time with family and talks about the boys’ dad.
“My brother Vaughn Sr. has held strong throughout the week. There is no preparation for this. There is no coach to help you along the way,” the author of the post wrote. “And there is no pause button so that he can sit down and take a breath.”
Another man, 40-year-old John Gale, was injured in the shooting. He was treated and released.
