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Sam Penrod ReportingA man who was the victim of a senseless act of violence is back home. He spent more than two months in the hospital. Tracy Armstrong was shot for no apparent reason, and it left him paralyzed.
Armstrong's life took an unexpected turn when he was shot at point-blank range. Now facing a difficult future, Tracy shared with us why he remains so positive and is ready to go home.
"We have nine children, and they've kind of been here, there and everywhere, and it's going to be nice to have everyone back home together again," Tracy said.
Tracy's and his family's lives changed forever on August 3, after police say a 24-year-old man opened fire on Armstrong for no apparent reason.
"Really haven't thought much about the shooter or where that is headed; it really hasn't occupied much of my time. Our time has been spent doing positive things," Tracy said.
Despite excruciating pain and aggressive physical therapy for two months, he can still find reasons to smile.
His therapist, Andy Haskell, told KSL, "We inflict a lot of pain on Tracy, but he's worked hard, fought through a lot of pain."
Friends, neighbors and strangers have completely remodeled the Armstrong's garage into special living quarters for Tracy.
Lynn Armstrong, Tracy's Wife, says, "There's been so many people, we can't count how many people have come together in such a short amount of time getting that garage ready for him to come home."
When he drove into Panguitch Thursday afternoon, people gathered on Main Street to welcome him home.
"I can't think anyone could ever receive more love and support than I've received in my circumstance here. Panguitch has been really good to me, and the whole community has come together to really help our family," Tracy said.
Tracy believes with a lot of hard work he can win back more movement in his body. There is a scrapbooking fundraiser planned for Tracy and his family on November 2 in Salt Lake City.
