WGNO

Baton Rouge deputy critically wounded in July ambush moved to rehab center in Houston

Former East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's deputy Nicholas Tullier

HOUSTON (WGNO) – The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Deputy who was critically wounded in a July 17 ambush that killed three officers in Baton Rouge  was moved from Our Lady of the Lake Hospital to a rehab facility in Houston today.

Deputy Nick Tullier’s family posted the update on the Nick Tullier Strong Facebook page.

“Nick is on his way to TIRR, next phase of his recovery! It is a blessed day for all of us!!” the family said.

James Tullier, Nick’s father, said the family decided to send Tullier to TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston after speaking with President Barack Obama’s and Vice President Joe Biden’s doctors. Obama and Biden met with Tullier’s family on separate visits to Baton Rouge following the horrific event.

On July 17, Gavin Long of Kansas City rented a car, traveled to Baton Rouge and went on a shooting rampage after luring law enforcement officers to the area.

The shooting began when police received a call of a “suspicious person walking down Airline Highway with an assault rifle.” When police arrived, they were ambushed. Long was wielding an AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle.

Baton Rouge Police officer Montrell Jackson, BRPD officer Matthew Gerald and East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Garafola were killed in the attack.

Montrell Jackson, Matthew Gerald, Brad Garafola

Long was killed by officers after a minutes-long gun battle.

Nick Tullier was shot three times – in the stomach, head and upper arm. Doctors told the family that Nick Tullier wasn’t expected to live longer than a day.

James Tullier said every day since the shooting has been a “miracle.”