An Emotional Reunion Between a Las Vegas Massacre Survivor and His Surgeon

Only “Extra's” Mark Wright was there for an emotional reunion between a Las Vegas shooting victim and the surgeon who made sure he would walk again.

Mark was at Sunrise Hospital with neurosurgeon Dr. Yevgeniy Khavkin and his patient Robert Aguilar, who was shot in the spine. Khavkin revealed, "He had a bullet pressing on the nerves that was causing weakness in the legs. As we realized he was getting weaker, we got him into surgery… He is doing much better… We got the bullets out.”

Had they not taken the bullets out, the doctor said, “He would have been paralyzed.”

The doctor introduced Mark to Robert, who showed the progress he has made despite being in pain, showing how he can move his legs. Dr. Khavkin also pulled up the scans to reveal where the bullets were lodged.

Robert was surrounded by his parents, who knew something was wrong when they couldn't get in touch with him as news of the shooting spread. Robert attended the concert with his girlfriend Rosa, who was unable to move Robert during the massacre. She said, “We were there pretty much till the gun shots stopped.” Robert recalled the horror, saying, “We were sitting there and it sounded like fireworks at first… I see people starting to fall, I felt a sharp pain in my side… 'Boom!' I felt my leg give out.”

While fearing for their lives the whole time, they were able to get help from a stranger, someone Robert wants to find. He said, “Troy from Michigan, if you are watching this, I have your information, we are gonna meet up again. He stayed right up with me the whole time.”

Robert also got emotional thanking Dr. Khavkin, vowing to never forget him. “I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. This is not how I planned my Vegas trip, but glad you were on duty and got me taken care of.”

Dr. Khavkin walked Mark through the horrific scene of what he encountered the night of the shooting, calling it “a war zone.” He said, “It was something I never saw in my life, and I hope I will never see again.” As for what he saw, Khavkin commented, “Lots of bodies, lots of blood, lots of people screaming, trying to help.”