Utah teen faces long road to recovery after surviving accidental shooting

VERNAL, Utah (KUTV) — A 16-year-old girl is at home recuperating after being accidentally shot in the arm.

The incident happened in Vernal, but Makayla Marker spent most of the week at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake, undergoing surgery.

"She's very unique, you know, she’s an amazing kid," said Jon Marker, Makayla's father.

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Jon said that early Monday morning, Makayla was with her boyfriend at a friend of a friend’s house, sitting on the couch and using her phone.

"One kid just picked [the gun] up and said he was going to put it in the holster, and it went off," Jon said. "It went through his hand and shot across the room into her arm."

The bullet, a hollow point from a .45 caliber handgun, shattered a bone in her arm and left shrapnel.

"It scared us to death; we didn't know what to expect at the time," Jon said about hearing of the shooting.

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Doctors inserted a metal plate and six screws into Makayla's forearm and closed the wound with 16 staples.

"She's doing the best she can with it, but it’s a long road to recovery," said Jon. "There are no emotions that can prepare you for that. I was livid and scared at the same time."

Jon said he spent a couple of days at the hospital, offering support for a situation he never anticipated.

"Words don’t... you're not prepared for something like this as a father. You don't think like that," he said.

Despite knowing his daughter and her friends well, Jon was unaware she was with someone who had a gun, and he emphasized the importance for parents to stay engaged in their children's lives.

"Know them, know their friends, know what they’re doing," he said.

As of Friday, besides her recovery, Makayla is focusing on advocating for gun safety.

"Treat a gun like it’s loaded at all times, always have the safety on. It’s not a toy, and people should understand that," Jon said.

Makayla will return to the hospital in two weeks to determine if another surgery is needed. The family has already incurred medical expenses, and a GoFundMe page has been set up for anyone wishing to help.

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