PACIFIC, Mo. — It takes strength to pick herself up.
Christina Horsfall, 36, is determined to do it daily.
On Tuesday, 5 On Your Side caught up with the mom of three; she has an 11-year-old son, a 3-year-old boy, and a 2-year-old daughter.
For the last few weeks, she's been putting in the work during physical therapy.
"I don't have any movement or ability to move my legs from the waist down," she shared.
She's rebuilding her life, after it was almost taken away on Oct. 14 in Pacific.
Horsfall said she's been working at Pacific Brew Haus since July, which was close to their home in Franklin County.
One October night changed the trajectory of all of their lives.
"It was a domestic violence incident," she said. "My child's father and I have been together for four years and the two youngest, it's their dad. He was violent for the past four years. That night he woke up in a physical violent rage and my children were home with him. I think he thought I was leaving him the night of the incident because it was the first time I spoke out and got help from one of my co-workers who works with domestic violence victims. I think he felt out of control of the situation and might’ve had a mental break."
Quentin Howard, 44, is now charged and accused of shooting Horsfall, their 3-year-old son and Horsfall's friend multiple times.
"Upon seeing him with an assault rifle in the doorway of our home, I had both children in our arms and I started running for my life. I stopped running not knowing that multiple bullets had hit me and my 3-year-old. I felt the shot to the back and fell to the ground. He got into the van and left," Horsfall explained.
The Pacific Police Department said while fleeing the area, the suspect was involved in a car crash in the 18100 block of Old US Highway 66 and then ran away.
Eureka Police responded to the area. With the assistance of Pacific and Kirkwood Police K-9s, Eureka and Creve Coeur drones, as well as officers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, St. Louis County Police Department and other local agencies, the suspect was arrested.
Horsfall remembers calling for help and neighbors came rushing.
"Everyone came out to assist me," she said.
Pacific police report that neighbors and officers gave first aid to the victims until ambulances arrived and transported them to area hospitals.
All three survived after getting hit by several bullets.
Horsfall said her 3-year-old was shot in the face, in his left arm and right lower leg.
She also faced severe wounds.
"They cut me up in the front and down the back because I had a bullet wound in my spine and they put two rods to fuse it together. I have shrapnel in my back and a bullet wedged in a disc but they will not remove it because it could cause more damage. I have multiple gunshot wounds to my arm. I also was shot in the face," Horsfall shared.
She explained they had to put her jaw back together and she lost several teeth, which has made it harder to eat.
Horsfall said they'll never know if she'll have the option to walk again.
But she is manifesting it.
"I have a few gunshot wounds to the chest down and out. I was shot in the back, it caused me to be wheelchair-bound temporarily and I’m eager to get my body moving to walk again. I see my toes wiggling or I dream of walking. I know that it’s going to happen one day and that’s what motivates me," she said.
Horsefall now moves with motivation. It's taken strength to pick up the pieces.
"When I first left the hospital almost three weeks ago, I didn’t have upper body strength. I had a therapist help me with my vertigo and help reposition my hips and help with upper body strength. At first, I couldn’t extend my arm, but they helped break down scar tissue and I have full range motion of my arm," she said while extending her right arm.
Her tenacity stems from overwhelming support and her children.
Those three are her greatest strength.
"We video chat every day, so that’s my motivation completely seeing their smiles. It’s the highlight of my life at this point, it’s motivation for me to get up," Horsfall said. "Luckily we all survived that's the biggest blessing at this point that we are all alive and that my children are alive, I'm alive to spend another day with my children because that's the only thing that matters to me in my life. That's everything that's ever mattered to me is my children."
Howard is in jail with no bond and has another court hearing Dec. 4.
Horsfall sends a message to other victims of domestic violence. She said there are multiple resources out there.
"It’s about finding your people and advocating for yourself. Asking for help and taking the help," she shared.
As for the incredible support, Horsfall's friends, family, and co-workers are raising funds through multiple avenues including a t-shirt campaign and tournament.
To purchase a t-shirt, click here.
On Feb. 24 at noon at the VFW Post 3500 in Richmond Heights, there will be a cornhole tournament to raise funds.
Resources for those experiencing domestic violence:
If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the Safe Connections Crisis Helpline at 314-531-2003. You can also text that number from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, free of charge.
Alternatives to Living In Violent Environments also has a crisis line at 314-993-2777 and they have a number for Franklin County at 800-941-9144.
The Women's Safe House can be reached 24 hours a day at 314-772-4535.
St. Martha's Hall's number is 314-533-1313 or walk into the drop-in center to speak to an advocate.