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TV meteorologist: He just started shooting at me


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TEMPLE, Texas — A television meteorologist, who was shot in his station's parking lot, thanked doctors and others who helped him right after he was shot last week.

Patrick Crawford, 35, spoke to the media for the first time since the shooting on Monday.

Crawford, a KCEN-TV weatherman, is still recovering at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas.

"My main focus is to just continue to get better, to get healthy and to get home for me and my family."

Crawford was shot at 11 times with a semi-automatic handgun Wednesday as the morning show meteorologist was leaving the station, owned by Gannett Co. Inc. (GCI), after his shift.

Crawford was shot in the stomach and shoulder and a bullet grazed his head, but he managed to drive off along the Interstate 35 frontage road. He stopped his car near construction workers who offered aid and called for help.

"Things are improving. I'm slowly getting better," Crawford said. "It's been a long process with a lot of pain."

The unknown suspect fled on foot.

Crawford said there was no interaction between the two before the suspect started shooting.

"There was no interaction whatsoever," Crawford said. "He just started shooting at me as I was leaving the parking lot of KCEN TV station. So there was no interaction. I did not know him."

No arrest has been made in the case and a motive in the shooting has not been identified.

A sketch of the suspect was released last week. He's described as a white or Hispanic man in his mid-30s.

On Monday, Crawford said he expects to be released from the hospital soon to continue his recovery.

He asked for privacy as he and his family deal with the shooting.

Falls County Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of a suspect.

Contributing: Lauren Talarico, KHOU-TV, Houston; Chris Davis, KCEN-TV, Waco-Temple-College Station, Texas; The Associated Press.