Doctor: trooper's condition improves

October 17, 2002|by LAURA ERNDE

HAGERSTOWN - A West Virginia State Police trooper showed slight improvement Wednesday in what is likely to be a long recovery from a gunshot wound to the head last week.

Robert Elswick remains in critical condition, said Dr. Marc Kross, surgeon-in-chief at the Washington County Hospital Trauma Center. But Kross said he now thinks it is likely Elswick will survive the serious brain injury.

It's still too early to tell how well Elswick will function.

"It's a little more optimistic," West Virginia State Trooper Brian Bean said Wednesday. "We're looking forward to Bobby getting better."

Elswick was shot once in the head after he and other troopers responded to a domestic violence call near Hedgesville on Oct. 10.

Police allege that David Eugene Munday, 37, used a .22 magnum bolt action rifle to shoot Elswick.

Munday is being held without bail at Eastern Regional Jail.

Munday has been charged with one count of kidnapping and one count of nighttime burglary, both felonies, in connection with events earlier that day, according to court records.

Berkeley County Prosecutor Pamela Games-Neely has said additional charges will be filed after police finish their investigation and after Elswick's condition stabilizes.

A fund has been set up to help defray the costs incurred by members of Elswick's family.

Checks made payable to The Robert Elswick Fund can now be dropped off at The Inwood Eatery in Inwood, W.Va.; the Warm Springs Eatery in Martinsburg, W.Va.; and Gold's Gyms in Hagerstown, Martinsburg and Charles Town, W.Va.

They can also be mailed to the state police barrack at 14 Trooper Drive, Martinsburg, W.Va., 25401.

- Staff writer Candice Bosely contributed to this story.

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