Sister seeks help for brother, shooting victim

Tina Molina, the sister of Russell King, 45, who was shot June 1 at the Red-wood Lodge, is seeking funds on King's behalf for his medical expenses.

King was paralyzed from the shooting, Molina said.

"I am trying to get help to pay for medical expenses for when my brother is released from the hospital and to get help for his living expenses," Molina said.

Molina said her brother is still in intensive care, but she is looking to the day when he will be released. But he will still need further attention. She said it is not known when he will be released.

"Right now he's not able to stand up for himself. I'm trying to advocate for him," Molina said.

Before the shooting, Molina said her brother did odd jobs and worked mainly on repairing bicycles.

 This past week, Molina has been visiting local businesses to set up placards and donation containers to build a medical fund for King.

On the placard, it reads:
"Donations are for Russell King, a victim of a violent crime, to help with medical and living expenses.
The donations are being taken at Everyone's Federal Credit Union (where an account has set up for King).
All donations will be greatly appreciated."

At this time, Molina said King "is still in intensive care in an Amarillo hospital. He's in critical but stable condition."

After the shooting, King was on life support for more than a week. "He is paralyzed, but he is now able to talk," Molina said.

Molina, who was present when her brother was shot, declined to talk about the day of the shooting.

Robert W. Wynashe, 66, pled not guilty on June 4  to charges stemming from shooting King in the parking lot of the Redwood Lodge in Tucumcari on Monday.

King was transported to Dan Trigg Hospital by relatives about 8:45 p.m. on Monday, according to documents filed with the Quay County Magistrate Court and a Tucumcari Police Department press release.

King was later transferred to the intensive care unit of an Amarillo hospital.

At the preliminary hearing, Wynashe, also known as “Chief,” pled not guilty to seven felony counts, including aggravated battery, shooting at a motor vehicle, tampering with evidence and criminal damage of property and was to be assigned a lawyer, according to court documents.

A $1 million cash bond was retained and he is in the Quay County Detention Center, court documents state.

A hearing has been set for July 2 in the Quay County Magistrate Court.

To contact Everyone’s Federal Credit Union call 461-0433.