Mequon native injured in Colorado shooting speaks with FOX6 News

MEQUON -- 27-year-old Carey Rottman of Mequon was one of those injured after 24-year-old James Holmes is accused of opening fire on a crowded theater during a midnight showing of the Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado on Friday, July 20th. Rottman was shot in the leg, and talked with FOX6 News by phone from the hospital on Monday, July 23rd -- the same day the accused shooter made his first court appearance.

The last three months have been both exhilarating and exhausting for Carey Rottman. Just three weeks ago, he got married in Minnesota. 

Early Friday morning, Rottman was watching the new Batman movie in an Aurora, Colorado theater with a friend when he was shot in the leg.

Rottman told FOX6 News it has now hit him that he is a survivor of one of the worst mass shooting incidents ever.

"It was probably the day after it happened when I was actually in bed seeing all the coverage of what actually happened. At the time, when you're involved, you really don't know what's going on," Rottman said.

Rottman said he was seated in the back of the theater, and couldn't really see much of what happened.

"He was definitely shooting at what seemed like every corner of the theater," Rottman said.

The bullet that hit Rottman took out part of his quad muscle but fortunately, it missed all crucial arteries and ligaments. Rottman's parents headed out on the first flight from Milwaukee to Colorado as soon as they heard what had happened.

"Obviously having a family member in the hospital is an awful thing. Especially a gunshot wound -- that's not something you ever think would possibly happen, especially going to a movie," Dale Rottman, Carey's father said.

The Rottman's have received plenty of support over the last four days. Friends from Mequon have reached out to Homestead High School's former football stud. Rottman had the chance to speak with Peyton Manning Sunday on the phone, and members of the Denver Broncos stopped by to visit him in the hospital.

"Obviously very exciting for Carey to see the outpouring of care from all these people, especially some guys who are athletes who are going out to cheer people up who've been through a horrible ordeal," Dale Rottman said.

Carey Rottman says he wants to get in touch with the four young adults that helped carry him to safety.

"You guys helped me stay calm. You guys helped a total stranger in complete and utter desperation and need. Can't thank you enough. If you're over 21, I'd like to buy you a beer," Rottman said.

Carey Rottman says he's received hundreds of Facebook messages and emails. He hopes to get around to them soon, as the plan is for him to leave the hospital by the end of the week. He still needs to have more surgery to close the wound and put in skin grafts.

CLICK HERE for more on the Colorado shooting via FOX6Now.com.

Related stories: