Shooting victim faces more surgery

PHILADELPHIA. The Blue Bell man shot six times in Old City last weekend is scheduled to undergo his fourth surgery today as his recovery continues, his family said.

Villanova graduate Edward DiDonato Jr., 23, was with a group of friends when he got into a confrontation with 28-year-old Gerald Ung outside of Fox29’s studio at Fourth and Market streets around 2:30 a.m. Sunday. The shooting, which was caught on surveillance video, left DiDonato with gunshot wounds to the chest, abdomen and hand.

“The fact that Eddie is alive is a true miracle — one that has been brought about by amazing doctors, Eddie’s sheer willingness to live, and by the countless prayers being said for him,” the DiDonato family said in a statement.

They also thanked well-wishers for the hospital visits, Facebook messages and e-mails.
Ung, a Temple law student, is charged with attempted murder and weapons offenses in the shooting. He is out on $20,000 bail. His family could not be reached for comment.