Wounded mother leaves hospital ICU

A wounded Carson City mother of four has improved enough to be moved from a hospital intensive-care unit Thursday six days after she was shot in the stomach and hand by a man described as her ex-boyfriend.

Meanwhile, employees at Longs Drugs in Carson City, where Prisca Watson works, have placed her portrait on a large card where well-wishers can write greetings to her. She also works as a Nevada Appeal carrier.

Donations are being accepted to help Watson, 43, who is mother to three daughters and a son. Donations are being accepted at Longs, 3240 Highway 50 E., and at Wells Fargo Bank branches where contributions can be deposited in the Friends of Prisca Watson Fund account No. 1016901777.

Watson has lived in Carson City for more than 20 years.

Sheriff's deputies said she was shot in the garage of her Stanford Drive home Oct. 25 by a black-clad man carrying an AK-47 assault rifle and a 9 mm handgun after a domestic dispute.

A short time later and less than a mile from Watson's House, a sheriff's sergeant shot a the gunman, identified as Gerald Goldsmith, 31, who died later.

Watson remains at Washoe Medical Center where a nursing supervisor described her condition as good.

"She was in good spirits and wanted to thank everyone very much for all the prayers and support," said Appeal circulation manager Jerry Byrne. "She sounded great over the phone."

"She said she'd be ready to throw papers in two or three weeks," Byrne said. "Let's hope her recovery is as speedy as she would like."