Wisconsin native, CO shooting survivor throws first pitch in Denver
DENVER -- Mequon native Carey Rottman threw out the first pitch at the Milwaukee Brewers/Colorado Rockies game Monday, August 13th. Rottman was injured in the Aurora, Colorado shooting during a Dark Knight Rises midnight showing July 20th.
27-year-old Rottman was shot in the leg inside the Century Theater after 24-year-old James Holmes entered the theater and opened fire.
Monday night, Rottman was a "respected guest of the Rockies," and during Tuesday's game, he'll mingle with Brewers players and media.
Rottman's father, a Thiensville dentist said the whole experience is surreal. Dr. Rottman says what started as a nightmare turned into a positive outpouring of support for his son that culminated with a visit from "Batman" himself on Tuesday, July 24th.
Dr. Rottman says getting a phone call at 2:00 in the morning informing him his son, Carey had been shot was "a call you never want to hear."
"He was calm. He said he wanted us to be calm. It was just, 'don't worry, I'm okay,'" Dr. Rottman said.
Dr. Rottman said seeing his son in the hospital was an emotional experience, though Carey has tried to stay upbeat.
Dr. Rottman says Carey has received well-wishes on his Facebook page, and visits in the hospital from people like Colorado's governor, members of the Denver Broncos and even a visit from Batman star Christian Bale!
Dr. Rottman said Bale was serious and apologetic during his visit, but Carey tried to make the actor feel at ease.
"He came into the room and wanted to be very private. He didn't want media. Carey, being very light-hearted joked and said 'the first 30 minutes of the movie were great - hope that makes you feel better,'" Dr. Rottman said.
Doctors first envisioned Carey's recovery would take a year, but after Tuesday's surgery, doctors said Carey won't need plastic surgery. Doctors were able to close the wound with stitches -- eliminating the need for a skin graft.
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