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Boston officer shot in manhunt speaks from hospital

Posted at 11:39 PM, May 13, 2013
and last updated 2013-05-14 01:29:43-04

An officer and graduate of the Virginia Military Institute graduate who was critically wounded in a gunfight with the Boston marathon bombing suspects last month told his story for the first time.

Boston transit officer Richard Donohue told CBS news tonight he got involved in the manhunt after responding to the shooting of a fellow officer.

CBS reporter John Miller asked if he had any idea at any point that that the supsects they were chasing were the suspected Boston marathon bombers. Speaking from his hospital bed, Donohue said he had no idea at first who was involved in the shooting.

“From what I`d been told, at first it was - it was no,” said Donohue.”It was - this just, you know, appeared to be some crazy, random act of violence.”

“But then, I guess once we got on scene and there was gunfire being exchanged and once they started throwing the bombs or improvised explosive devices that I guess I`m pretty sure I did. I looked at things, you know, I think we probably, you know, looked at each other and there - you don`t even need to say a word.”

“You`re like, 'This is it. These are the guys,’” he said.

Donohue was shot not long after arriving at the scene. A bullet severed his femoral artery and he lost so much blood that his heart stopped for a while.

Right now Donohue is still in the intensive care unit. But he’s looking forward to checking out one day, and also said he's looking forward to returning to police work.