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San Bernardino Police Officer Shot In The Head Is Out Of Coma, Breathing On His Own

SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — The family of San Bernardino Police Officer Gabriel Garcia spoke out Monday about his condition after he was shot in the head while on routine patrol in August.

Garcia's father, Capt. Ron Garcia, said his son was out of medically induced coma and breathing on his own during a news conference around 11 a.m. at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton.

"I'm not prepared to discuss Gabriel's medical condition in great detail, I will say on behalf of the Garcia family that Gabriel is absolutely in the right place to have had the chance to survive this attack."

Gabriel, 31, was shot once in the head on Aug. 22 after he and his partner approached a group of people outside a home in the 1900 block of Garner Avenue.

His partner, a new officer trainee, returned fire and killed the gunman, officials said. Three other people were arrested and charged with attempted murder.

Garcia was rushed to the hospital with a brain injury and was placed in a medically induced coma. San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan tweeted on Thursday he was regaining consciousness.

Although he's making progress, doctors say the head injury presents challenges, and it could take six months to a year to know more about his recovery.

A car wash was held Saturday to raise funds for his family.

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