A SWAT officer and member of the martial arts community was seriously wounded after being shot while responding to the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Timothy Matson is a Krav Maga Worldwide Instructor and Krav Maga Worldwide Force Training Division Instructor for law enforcement at Wright’s Gym in Crafton, PA. The gym also said that Matson trains various specialties of martial arts in the Pittsburgh area and is a defensive tactics instructor and taser instructor for the Pittsburgh police department, in addition to being a member of the Pittsburgh SWAT division. They said the following about his condition:
“He was the first one through the door the day of the shooting. He was shot several times. His body armor and Kevlar helmet saved his life. His body armor took several rifle rounds to the chest/abdominal area and his Kevlar helmet took the rifle round to the head. Additionally, he took several hits to the legs and arms. He is still currently in another surgery and will have many surgeries in the coming months. He is expected to survive his injuries but there is a significant likelihood that he will never return to work.”
One of Matson’s former students, officer Kristen Richmond (a BJJ practitioner who made headlines when she used her martial arts training to defend herself in a violent encounter) wrote a post detailing how Matson’s teachings had helped her survive her own attack while on the job.
Good morning, y’all! I posted this very early this morning when I saw it. I’m reposting it in hopes of it being seen by…
Posted by Kristen Richmond on Monday, October 29, 2018
Donations are currently being raised to help cover Matson’s medical and recovery expenses. We encourage anyone who is able to donate here to help a fellow member of the martial arts community who put his life on the line to save others.
