A boy shot in the face during the Kentucky school shooting is in stable condition, father says

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Family members have identified one of the two Kentucky school shooting victims who remained hospitalized Thursday in Nashville as teenager Gage Smock of Gilbertsville, Kentucky.

The boy’s father, 35-year-old Gary Wayne Smock, said his son was in stable condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center after suffering a critical gunshot wound to the head.

“We’re doing as well as can be expected,” Gage’s father told USA TODAY-TENNESSEE on Thursday.

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Smock, who fought back tears as he spoke, said he’s been able to speak with his son but there’s no word from doctors on when the boy will be released.

His son, he said, is the boyfriend of 15-year-old shooting victim Bailey Holt — one of two students killed during Tuesday's shooting rampage at Marshall County High School.  Nineteen others were injured in the morning attack including Preston Ryan Cope, 15, who also died.

Smock said he and Gage’s mother, Larissa Smock, 34, have been in Nashville since their son was transported by medical helicopter to the hospital Tuesday. The family’s Gilbertsville home is located in an unincorporated community about 10 miles north of the school.

Photos posted on the boy’s Facebook page show pictures of a smiling green-eyed boy, including one with his arm around Bailey Holt. Others capture the boy’s apparent love for fishing and hunting.

Back home in Marshall County, Smock said, throngs have come together to support his family and other victims, including Calvary Baptist Church in Grand Rivers.

“It’s small town and they’re all coming together for us,” said Smock, who said he is grateful for the support.

Background:Two Kentucky shooting victims released from Vanderbilt hospital

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“Tonight, let's come together as a community to lift each other up and pray for those affected, especially a family that is near to our hearts, the Smocks,” the church posted on its Facebook page Wednesday. “Please join us tonight to be the community that lifts up the Smock family and the other families and students affected.”

Nick Forsythe, the church's pastor, rushed down to VUMC Tuesday, where he spent the day providing support for the Smock family.

Forsythe had earlier received a call from a teacher at the school letting him know that Gage was among the gunshot victims. Panic set in.

But Forsythe said he recognized the tight-knit church would serve a purpose through the tragedy.

He said the church, located about 8 miles away from the school in neighboring Livingston County, will focus in the coming months on "showing grace and love to people" who are grieving.

"Many of the kids are going to go back to school soon, and Gage is eventually going to get out, but this is going to be a long road of recovery, and some of these scars are always going to be there," Forsythe said, referring to both emotional and physical trauma.

Forsythe attributed Gage's improving report to God taking care of the 15-year-old, though he said he knew the boy and other students would have a long road of healing to walk.

"The good thing about the physical things is they’ll heal, but these things just affect our souls," Forsythe said. "It's just a sad tragedy. These kids are going to carry this for the rest of their lives."

On Thursday the green and white church sign outside its building read “MARSHALL STRONG” in bold black letters.

J-Mack BBQ, where Gage worked, also expressed condolences on social media for Gage and the other victims. The business closed its doors early this week to allow fellow staffers to "pray, grieve and be with their families."

"An update on Gage Smock he is doing good they will do surgery in a couple of days to let the swelling go down in his face," the Gilbertsvillle business posted Wednesday. "Please continue to pray for him, his family and the others involved."

Tennessean breaking news reporter Natalie Allison contributed to this report. Reach Natalie Neysa Alund at nalund@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.