Houston mom recovering from surgery after shooting

COLLEGE STATION, TX (KTRK) -- Friends, family, and church members are showing their support for a Houston woman who was seriously hurt in the College Station shooting. She was shot while trying to send her daughter off to college.

This is the church Barbara Holdsworth attends in Houston. And pastors and staff here at Chapelwood United Methodist Church are in College Station helping the shooting victim and her family.

"Vivacious, spirited, hard-worker, fabulous mom," said friend Robin Conner.

All words devastated folks like Conner are using to describe Holdsworth right now. Conner is just learning her friend and Houston-area realtor was one of the innocent victims injured during a shootout near Texas A&M's campus on Monday afternoon.

"One thing that I think about her is her energy and her strength and her athleticism, and I'm hoping that will get her through the physical part of her injuries," Conner said.

Police say Holdsworth was in College Station helping her daughter move back to school when she was shot. They say the 51-year-old woman was passing through an area just a few blocks from campus as the suspect, Thomas Caffall, allegedly opened fire on deputies serving eviction papers.

"It is concerning that it hit that close to home," said neighbor Frank Reisinger.

Holdworth's neighbors told us they were devastated hearing about the shooting. And so are members of Chapelwood United Methodist where Holdworth has been a member for years.

"To learn that one of our church members was one of the victims was shocking," said Pastor Bob Johnson with Chapelwood United Methodist Church.

Pastors here say staff rushed to College Station during Holdsworth's emergency surgery. Her condition has now improved from critical to serious. And as the Houston woman continues to recover those who know Holdsworth are hoping for the best.

"We have her in our prayers and we worry about the whole family," said Reisinger.

Church staff tell us it appears Holdsworth will survive her injuries, but she''ll likely have a long road to recovery.

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