By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The 51-year-old man expected to be hospitalized for as long as a month with a gunshot injury from when he walked into a stranger’s home has made a “miraculous” recovery and was brought back to Lewis County yesterday to face criminal charges for the incident.
Brian L. Creed has been at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where he initially was listed in critical condition.
Creed was shot once in the abdomen when he confronted a resident at the 400 block of Highway 603 west of Chehalis on Feb. 10. The sheriff said he was high on meth. Creed was charged three days later with burglary and misdemeanor assault.
The sheriff’s office last week released Creed from its custody, to avoid being responsible for paying the bills for his medical treatment and planned surgery.
Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer told county commissioners yesterday that Creed’s condition then suddenly improved. Meyer said he estimated the county saved $500,000 by cutting him loose when they did.
Creed is scheduled to go before a judge today at 4:15 p.m. in Lewis County Superior Court.
Both the sheriff and the prosecutor have said it appeared the 24-year-old resident acted appropriately to protect himself and his wife.
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For background, read: “Wounded home intruder’s condition deteriorating, deputies relieved of guard duty to cut costs” from Friday February 15, 2013, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Just glad he gets another chance at life, and the home owner knows he did not kill him.
Looks like everybody got something good out of this after all.
I think it was the hospital milking the injury, then they released him when they found out nobody was footing the bill.
I couldn’t help but notice that, too, observant. Nothing speeds up healing like a hospital bill YOU have to pay.
Okie Dokie…
I find it funny that as soon as the county is no longer picking up the hospital bills the “victim” miraculously recovers enough to stand trial. Perhaps it is more diffacult to milk an injury when you are going to get stuck with the bill.
Cant wait to hear what he has to say about the whole situation. Ive been wondering who he was talking to outside that woke the homeowner. Also, what he has to say about where the whole thing went on. Originally the sheriff stated it happened in the hallway where homeowner was standing in front of bedroom door to protect his wife. Then changed to kitchen.
At any rate, the homeowner and his wife are ok. That is what matters most.