Father of 2 from Jax out of surgery after Orlando shooting

ORLANDO, Fla. — An ex-college football star from Jacksonville who was shot in the Orlando nightclub underwent surgery Monday morning, according to family.

Rodney Sumter Jr. was a bartender at Pulse Nightclub. His mother said he was injured in his arms and shot in the back while running away.

Sumter had shrapnel in his back and both arms needed reconstruction, according to family.

The mass shooting killed 49 people and injured at least 53 others at the nightclub in early Sunday morning in Orlando.

Josh McGill stopped to help Rodney while running from gunfire. McGill took off his own shirt to make a tourniquet and then held him in the back of a police cruiser on the way to the hospital when there wasn't an available ambulance.

Rodney’s mother, Lenita, sent a text message Monday morning to Action News Jax Paige Kelton.

“Good morning. I'm humbly grateful to God for commanding another morning on behalf of Rodney and the other surviving victims. My prayers go out to the families of the deceased and pray that God will encamp His angels around them to comfort them in this tragic time of grief. My son is prepping for surgery right now. Pray our strength.”

Sumter is a father of twins, who are 10 years old.

He is a former wide receiver for Jacksonville University from 2008 to 2010. In 2010, he caught 24 passes for seven touchdowns. He played prep football at Fletcher High School in Neptune Beach.

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