Wisconsin mom shot saving 2 of her kids

(Erin Stoffel/via CNN)


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MENASHA, Wisc. (CNN) — Erin Stoffel shuffled her 7-year-old son, Ezra, and 5-year-old daughter, Selah, off a pedestrian bridge after a gunman randomly opened fire, killing her husband and her 11-year-old daughter.

She did this while taking three bullets.

"You can never underestimate the power of a mother to protect her children. To have three gunshot wounds and be able to get off that bridge and save two of her children is incredible to think about," Dr. Ray Georgen at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah said Monday.

"It's an amazing story of heroism on her part and certainly of her children."

But Stoffel's quick actions weren't enough to save her daughter Olivia and her husband, Johnathon, 33. Adam Bentdahl, 31, an unrelated Appleton man, also died.

Police say Sergio Valencia Del Toro, 27, opened fire near the middle of the Trestle Trail Bridge on Sunday evening after an argument with his ex-fiancée, CNN affiliate WLUK reported. He then turned the gun on himself, taking his own life, police said.


You can never underestimate the power of a mother to protect her children. To have three gunshot wounds and be able to get off that bridge and save two of her children is incredible to think about.

–Dr. Ray Georgen, Theda Clark Medical Center


The gunman didn't know any of his victims, authorities said.

Even with the loss of life, Erin and Ezra Stoffel are being called heroes. The toll could have been higher.

Stoffel sent Ezra to get help amid the gunfire.

"Despite being shot multiple times, Ms. Stoffel was able to ... (instruct) her young son to go run for assistance," said Menasha police Chief Tim Styka. "Absolutely amazing."

Barry Busby, the Winnebago County coroner, also praised her quick thinking.

"True heroes going into an act of fire, where they don't know what's out there on this unprotected bridge, but trying to save other people," Busby said. "And I think their fast response helped save a lot of people."

Georgen said the early stages of Stoffel's recovery are going well. The medical center lists her condition as critical.

A gofundme page* set up to help the family after the shooting had raised almost $75,000 by Tuesday morning.

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*KSL.com does not assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

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