Interview with Reggie Bryant, deaf man who was randomly shot on highway
The Daily Moth (Alex):
Here is an interview with Reggie Bryant, a deaf man who was randomly shot in the leg when he was driving home from work in May of this year.
He was one of nine victims in an early-morning rampage in Southern California caused by a suspect, Sergio Rodriguez, who is hearing. Bryant has never met the suspect. He just happened to be driving on a freeway at the exact moment that Rodriguez allegedly decided to shoot at his car.
Reggie Bryant:
My name is Reggie Bryant. I live in Hesperia, California. I can remember the exact time I timed out — it was 12:07 a.m. I left for home. I then stopped at an In-N-Out restaurant. After I finished eating, I went on my way home on the 210 freeway. I was aware of other cars around me. I was just driving, not bothering anyone. I was minding my own business and trying to arrive home, and then all of a sudden there was a bright flash and something hit me. I thought it came from inside the car at first but then I noticed the car next to mine kept following me, and I felt serious pain. I looked at the car, and I didn’t know if it would help me or not. I pulled over and the pain was serious, and the windows were shattered. Wow. The pain was bad. Then I came out of the car and I felt some kind of relief, but it hurt really bad. Something hit my femur and I waved for help. Cars in traffic were passing by and I kept waving for help, but cars didn’t stop. That happened at one in the morning. So, I went back in the car. I looked for my phone and finally found it, but it was damaged because my phone was under the mirror. It was there to play music to keep me awake while driving home. The phone was damaged. It hurt badly. I touched the bottom of my thigh and it burned. I realized that it was bloody. I used my work boot to tie it around my thigh to make sure I didn’t faint.
The Daily Moth (Alex):
Bryant said he drove straight to the hospital at 90 mph. When he arrived, he shouted for help.
Reggie Bryant:
Three people came to me and asked me if I was ok. I said no. It hurt bad. They asked what happened. I didn’t know. The nurse saw that my car door had a bullet hole in it, and a second hole in the back. Wow. They said it looked like someone shot me. I said, “Wait, no.”
[Images of Bryant’s sedan with two bullet holes on the side]
They said yeah, and told me to go to their car. I tried to get up and it was hard. I couldn’t get out by myself. It hurt bad. My leg was very weak. I left and got in the car, and then used a wheelchair in the hospital.
The Daily Moth (Alex):
At the hospital, two different police officers showed up to ask him what happened. They asked if Bryant called 911 because they received a call from someone who was shot on the same highway. Bryant said he didn’t and explained it was impossible because his phone was shattered.
X-rays showed that the bullet hit Bryant’s femur and broke the bone. He was transferred to a different hospital to undergo surgery in which a rod was inserted.
[Images of Reggie Bryant on a hospital bed smiling and saying, “ILY” and of a x-ray with a rod inserted through his femur]
The Daily Moth (Alex):
As he was recovering, his wife helped him to get a new phone and showed him an article about the rampage.
Reggie Bryant:
I got a new phone. My wife emailed me an article about a man who hurt nine people in one morning. I read the article… Wait a minute. Nine victims. Including me? Wow. That hurt my heart, and I got mad. I have to bear with the pain.
The Daily Moth (Alex):
The fragments of the bullet had to be left in his leg.
[Images of Reggie Bryant’s xrayed leg, showing two bullet fragments on either side of the femur]
Reggie Bryant:
A rod was put in my femur, and the bullet is still in there. It can’t be removed because it would cause serious damage to the nerves. The doctor said it would be better to leave it in.
The Daily Moth (Alex):
Is the bullet still in your leg?
Reggie Bryant:
Yes.
The Daily Moth (Alex):
Wow.
Reggie Bryant:
Sometimes I feel uncomfortable. When I run, I can feel the bullet inside so I stop. If there are more serious issues, then I have to call the doctor and tell them there are still issues and problems. We’ll see what they can do, like removing it or leaving it in. I’m not sure.
[Sponsored Video from Convo: https://www.convorelay.com/]
The Daily Moth (Alex):
I read some news articles from May and they explained that officers with the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department said Rodriguez shot and stabbed eight people at random, and tried to stab a police officer as he moved to arrest him.
A month ago, Bryant received a letter that requested him to show up to a court hearing because he was one of the victims.
Reggie Bryant:
Recently, last month, I got a letter from a district attorney from court saying I have to show up to court. It gives me a little bit of anxiety. So, it’s out of my hands but I have to show up. I know I have to be an example, and go strong for not only that man but for the other victims.
The Daily Moth (Alex):
There was a hearing yesterday, a pre-preliminary hearing, but Bryant notified me that he ended up not having to attend because it was postponed to January. The district attorney said he amended the charges against Rodriguez to make it nine separate attempted murder charges, attempted murder on a police officer, shooting into a vehicle, to make it a total of 13 felony charges. Rodriguez faces 25 years to life in prison.
I called the Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court and they confirmed that a pre-preliminary hearing is set in January and said Rodriguez pleaded not guilty.
I asked Bryant how he coped with the trauma of being shot at.
The Daily Moth (Alex):
You could have died. How do you feel thinking about that?
Reggie Bryant:
Many times, I think back to it and have dreams about it. What if I had leaned forward and got shot in the head? Or… There are so many different possible scenarios. Sometimes I don’t have a good night of sleep during my recovery.
Thank you to God that I’ve been seeing a counselor, and that helps a lot. My counselor’s advice helps me, and tells me it’s ok to be angry. I know my life changed big time. I used to act good with everyone, but after that, I see people in a different way now. But I still have some trust in my family and friends. With other people, I’m a little bit reluctant and defensive. I watch my back. I haven’t experienced that before. I realized that things used to be normal but after that event things became abnormal, meaning people don’t understand because they haven’t been through this kind of event. I’m the only one. I have to get through it myself and figure out how to keep going. When I start to feel good, that means it’s a new normal.
The Daily Moth (Alex):
I’m happy you’re alive.
Reggie Bryant:
Yeah. Yes.
The Daily Moth (Alex):
Thank you, Reggie Bryant, for sharing your story. We wish you the best for your continued recovery.
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/man-goes-on-early-morning-knifing-shooting-spree-in-inland-empire/2362232/
https://local.nixle.com/alert/7992894/
https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/14/us/california-man-stabbings-shooting-arrested/index.html