William An, a paramedic at station 19 on East Grand, was shot while on duty in Old East Dallas on May 1, 2017. He's pictured here with his wife, Jayne, and 3-year-old son.

William An, a paramedic at station 19 on East Grand, was shot while on duty in Old East Dallas on May 1, 2017. He’s pictured here with his wife, Jayne, and 3-year-old son.

Two men are recovering from bullet wounds after Monday’s shooting that left another victim and the shooter, Derick Brown, dead in a murder suicide. Now neighbors are rallying to help the survivors deal with a lengthy healing process.

Sign up for our newsletter

* indicates required

The incident began on Monday morning in the 3200 block of Reynolds Avenue, when Brown got into an argument with his roommate before taking him to a back room and shooting Arthur Riggings, 67. A 24-year-old neighbor heard the gunfire and went outside to see what was happening when he, too, was shot by Brown. Paramedics rushed to the neighborhood on a suicide call, and spotted the bleeding man laying in the street. EMT William An jumped into action, attempting to rendered aid, when Brown shot him as well.

Police arrived on scene, but Brown kept firing his 7.62 caliber semi-automatic rifle. Working with other officers Mathew Kalash and Matthew Merta, Sgt. Robert Watson dragged An to his police car before he rushing the injured EMT to Baylor Hospital. An is listed in “critical but stable” condition.

Officers Christian Jackson, Gary Green and Gabriel Pina risked their lives to save the civilian, who police have not named, although a GoFundMe started by his sister-in-law Michelle Cavillo identifies him as Luis Galo Amaro, while neighborhood news site East Dallas Texas Latino Media calls him Luis Avila.

The neighborhood was locked down while police searched for Brown, who had retreated back into his home. Using a robot, police entered the residence and found Brown, who fathered 18 children and was a member of the Black Panther Party with an extensive criminal history, according to the Dallas Observer, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

An, a 10-year veteran of the department, is assigned to station 19 on East Grand Avenue, just outside Tenison Park. He was shot once in the leg and once in the arm, but the bullet hit an artery, causing massive bleeding that almost took his life and required emergency surgery. He will face a long recovery, and donations can be made to his family at this PayPal account, Dallas Fire and Rescue said. Supporters are also collecting donations on a GoFundMe site to help the An family, which includes his pregnant wife, Jayne, and 3-year-old son. On Saturday, May 13, the firefighters are getting soapy to help their fallen comrade with a free car wash from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Whip Wash, 5842 Live Oak St. The firefighters will be cleaning the cars and accepting donations, all of which will benefit the An family. 

Amaro’s GoFundMe states that he was released from the ICU after suffering two gunshots, but will be out of work for several months as he recovers. Funds raised will help him pay bills while he cannot work. “He will incur unexpected bills and expenses from Brown’s act of crime. This GoFundMe is to assist with those medical expenses that will be incurred from hospital stay and rehabilitation. Any amount makes a difference,” Cavillo wrote.

Neighbors have been stopping by station 19 with cards, gift certificates and other tokens of appreciation for the first responders.