Survivor Of School Shooting Back In Hospital

The only survivor among four people shot at a junior high school underwent surgery to treat an intestinal blockage Wednesday night, 12 days after her release from a Seattle hospital.

During exploratory surgery, doctors determined intestinal problems were the cause of severe nausea, dehydration and lower abdominal pains that forced Natalie Hintz to be admitted to Samaritan Hospital on Tuesday, said her uncle, Darwin Hintz, a family spokesman. The 13-year-old was listed in stable condition.

The problem stemmed from an earlier operation in which doctors removed bullet fragments and repaired liver damage, Hintz said. The operation created scar tissue that caused Natalie’s small intestines to twist, which led to a blockage and an internal hernia, he said.

Doctors plan to keep Natalie hospitalized at Samaritan for at least the next five days, he said. She will not be allowed any visitors and will be fed intravenously for at least three days.

Natalie was released March 1 from Children’s Hospital in Seattle, where she recuperated after being shot Feb. 2 during an algebra class at Frontier Junior High in Moses Lake.

A rifle bullet nearly severed Natalie’s right arm and caused lifethreatening injuries to her chest, diaphragm and liver. Doctors are unsure whether she will regain use of her injured arm.

Doctors at the Moses Lake hospital on Wednesday were in contact with staff at Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center, where Natalie was airlifted following the shooting. Doctors do not believe it will be necessary to transfer Natalie to the larger Seattle hospital, Hintz said.