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Police outside the crime scene on April 3rd | Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist
Remember that Valley Village massacre at the Hot Spot Mediterranean Cafe in April that left four dead and two critically injured in a hail of bullets? David Agazaryan was there and despite the odds, he survived after 11 gunshot wounds to his chest, wrist, arm, abdomen and face, according to KABC.
Four of Agazaryan's friends were killed in the shooting spree that police believe was started by a personal dispute with the victims inside the restaurant. Other reports have suggested the shooting involved gang or mafia suspects, but Agazaryan says he "didn't see anything that was any kind of way gang- or street-related."
After 8 months of reconstructive facial surgery and other procedures, Agazaryan knows how lucky he is to be alive and he's doing something about it by committing his life to charity work. Losing his friends and coming so close to losing his own life has changed his perspective. "Big deal, I lost an eye, broke a few bones. It happens, you know? I'm still here, walking, talking."
Nerses Galstyan was arrested in connection with the shooting and will face murder charges.