Woman left paralyzed after Johnston County memorial shooting that killed son of 'Lizard Lick Towing' star
A 20-year-old woman is now paralyzed after the shooting at a memorial in Johnston County on Feb. 17 that also killed the son of one of the stars of the TV series Lizard Lick Towing.
Sophie Hagy’s mother is asking the community for help as they try to overcome this tragedy for their family.
Sophie got a message last Tuesday from Xavier Smith, a former classmate who needed a lift and wanted to know if she could do him a favor, her mom said.
“She’d not seen him since high school, but she gave him a ride,” Hagy said. “Then she called me the next morning and was crying and said that he had passed away in an automobile accident.”
A balloon release for Smith was planned for Thursday night, and Sophie decided to go along with an old friend: Alex Shirley, the son of one of Ronnie Shirley, who was featured in the reality TV show.
Hagy said she was texting her daughter during the memorial service and became concerned when her daughter stopped responding.
“One of her friend’s mothers called me and let me know what was going on,” Hagy said. “She told me that the boy in the car had passed away, and that Sophie had been shot.”
Police told WRAL News that two teenagers shot into the crowd during the balloon release, killing Alex Shirley. Sophie was rushed to WakeMed hospital, where after running tests, doctors told the family what they’d found.
“She was shot twice in her back, she has a bullet lodged in her spine, and she’s paralyzed from the waist down,” Hagy said, overcome with emotion. “She’s our baby, she didn’t deserve this.”
Hagy said the news has left Sophie in shock.
“She’s being told that she’s going to have limitations on her life,” Hagy said. “She’s devastated.”
With the next eight weeks critical for her recovery, the family tried to get Sophie into the Shepherd clinic in Atlanta, a highly regarded spinal rehab facility.
But Sophie’s insurance only covers in-state treatment.
“The cost out of pocket for her to go to Shepherd for eight weeks is $418,000,” Hagy said. “And obviously no one has $418,000 laying around.”
The family’s now turned to GoFundMe for help, where they’ve already raised nearly $40,000 as of Thursday.
“I’m just blown away and I’m extremely grateful and thankful for everyone,” Hagy said. “When I see these donations, I can’t believe that people are giving my child thousands of dollars.”
“If there is a way for her to be independent, my child will find that way,” she continued.
