The family of hospitalized CBS News 8 sports director Kyle Kraska thanked the San Diego community Thursday for its support for the longtime local broadcaster, who was badly wounded this week in a shooting in front of his Scripps Ranch house.
“We are so grateful to the San Diego Police Department for (its) thorough investigation, the emergency response teams for their quick action, the Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla staff for their amazing care and the Channel 8 family and viewers for their heartfelt wishes for the speedy recovery for our beloved Kyle,” the newsman’s relatives wrote in a statement released this afternoon.
The alleged assailant, 54-year-old painting contractor Mike Montana, was arrested at his El Cajon residence about 10 p.m. Tuesday, nearly seven hours after the shooting. He is being held without bail in county jail and scheduled to be arraigned on an attempted-murder charge early next week.
Montana, who reportedly was embroiled in a money dispute with Kraska over a painting job at the victim’s home, allegedly unleashed a fusillade of gunfire on the sportscaster as he was pulling out of his driveway in the 12000 block of Avonette Court.
Kraska, 48, underwent surgery for 10 bullet wounds and remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
The assault prompted an outpouring of sympathy and fond tributes to Kraska on social-media sites.
“The love and care was evident from the minute the shooting happened,” his family stated, adding that they had “the utmost appreciation” for those who rushed to the stricken journalist’s aid as he lay stricken next to his car.
The good Samaritans included neighbors, passers-by and SDPD Sgt. Scott Bartolomei, who lives a short distance away and was among the first at the scene of the shooting.
“The eloquent messages and memories of Kyle have been a definitive source of strength as we attempt to make sense of the situation and continue to monitor Kyle’s recovery,” the family statement says. “Your thoughts and prayers are working. Kyle is healing more and more each day. He will certainly be so touched by all of your words. We look forward to sharing them with him.”
— City News Service