Bellville native and HM3 (FMF/SCW) Navy Corpsman Joshua Whatman was visiting New Orleans with friends and family on June 29 when gunshots scattered the Bourbon Street crowd, killing one person and injuring nine others. Whatman, in a response he attributed to his military training, ran toward the shots, coming to the aid of a young Australian woman injured in the crossfire.
Amy Matthews, 21, of Perth, Australia, was shot in the face by a stray bullet as two suspects exchanged gunfire. She had lost several teeth and quite a bit of blood. Gunnery Sgt. Will McDaniels, a Marine who was working nearby, had stopped to assist her when Whatman approached.
“He had his arms wrapped around her trying to keep her calm,” said Whatman. “She was obviously freaked out a lot.”
Whatman, a 2007 Clear Fork High School graduate, modestly noted that he did not save Matthews’ life. “All I did for her was to control the bleeding,” he said. “I took my shirt off and used it as a pressure dressing. I just applied pressure on the bleeding and got the bleeding stopped. At that point I just sat there and talked to her and kept her calm, kept her from going into shock until the EMTs could get there and transport her.”
Matthews recalled Whatman’s efforts, “He was great–gave his shirt straight away to stop the bleeding. He made some jokes and told me I was still pretty,” she said. “He kept me as calm as I think anyone would be in that situation.”
Whatman’s sister, Lillian Whatman, said, “I yelled at my brother for running toward the shooting instead of away from it, but I couldn’t be mad. That’s what he does. It’s his nature.”
“That’s my job, so I guess my training just kicked in and I just do what I can,” Joshua Whatman said.
Lillian Whatman explained that the group was celebrating Joshua Whatman’s return from deployment and had planned to stay awake to see the sun rise over New Orleans. During the evening, they encountered other friends who were attending a bachelorette party and needed someone to see them to the bars and hotels safely. Lillian Whatman said the group volunteered. However, as a result, she and her sister were separated from Joshua Whatman at the time of the shooting.
At approximately 2:45 a.m. shots were fired from what was believed to be an altercation between two men.
“Josh escorted a couple back to their hotel while we headed to the bar with the rest of the group,” said Lillian Whatman. She explained that she and her sister, Naomi Whatman, waited outside once they saw their group safely inside.
“While we were waiting we stood there on the sidewalk for a few minutes. Then shots rang out. Naomi and I immediately began shoving people into the bar,” said Lillian Whatman.
“At this time, we still had no clue where our brother was. He could have been out on the street for all we knew. The amount of uncertainty in a situation like that is nerve racking to say the least,” said Lillian Whatman.
After returning safely to the hotel with the remainder of the group, the sisters anxiously awaited Joshua Whatman’s return.
“When Josh finally came walking down the hallway of the hotel, carrying a shirt dripping with blood, Naomi and I ran to meet him. I can’t even describe how happy I was to see his face,” she said.
Joshua Whatman visited Matthews the following day at the hospital. “As soon as I came in, she obviously recognized me,” he said. “It was pretty emotional.”
“It was really awesome to get to see someone that you treat that fast, and they are actually conscious,” Joshua Whatman said. “Every person I’ve treated, I have put them on a helicopter and they’ve been flown out, so you don’t get to see them until you get out of the country.”
Matthews’ injuries required two immediate surgeries over a two-day period, she said. “That saw a metal go into my top jaw, and teeth and bone removed as well as dead gum,” she explained.
She faces extensive reconstructive surgeries which are not covered by travel insurance. A website has been set up to help with medical expenses.
Matthews said that she and Joshua Whatman have been in contact almost daily, and she has without a doubt made a lifelong friend.
“He was great–gave his shirt straight away to stop the bleeding. He made some jokes and told me I was still pretty,” said victim Amy Matthews. “He kept me as calm as I think anyone would be in that situation.”
