Washington Park Shooting Survivor Shares Journey to Recovery
On February 2, what began as a dispute over a park bench in Denver’s Washington Park escalated into a shooting that left Ben Varga fighting for his life.
A Normal Day Turns Tragic
Varga had just arrived at the park for a picnic with friends when he noticed a commotion nearby. As he walked past, someone mentioned a bicycle tire popping—a seemingly minor incident. Moments later, his memory went blank.
Unbeknownst to him, a gun had been fired. The bullet struck him in the back of the neck, exiting through his jaw, breaking it into several pieces, and knocking out teeth. It also fractured two vertebrae, but miraculously, his brain and nerves remained intact.
A Life-Saving Act
Dr. Lakshmi Karra, a pediatrician who happened to be at the park with her infant, rushed to help, using Varga’s own picnic blanket to stop the bleeding.
“The fact that he was breathing on his own was miraculous in and of itself,” Karra recalled.
After three days in the ICU, Varga woke up to the reality of his condition. His jaw now requires reconstructive surgery, using 3D modeling technology to rebuild the shattered bones with plates.
A Family’s Strength
His parents and siblings, including his triplet brother Dan and sister Grace, have been by his side. In an unexpected twist, Grace recently began working as a nurse at Denver Health, where she will now be collaborating with Dr. Karra, the very woman who saved her brother.
Seeking Justice and Change
Authorities arrested Ryan Egelston, who fled the scene but was later charged with attempted first-degree murder. While Varga does not believe he was targeted, he and his family have expressed concerns about gun violence and mental health issues.
“I don’t hold hatred or anger toward this individual,” Varga said. “I just hope he gets the help he needs and is kept safe from himself and others.”
As he prepares for a long recovery, Varga remains hopeful.
“Hopefully, one day this will just be a crazy story I tell my friends at the bar,” he said. “The real takeaway is that beautiful things can come from tragedy—if we lift each other up.”
