A missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was in serious but stable condition late Tuesday after he was shot in the head during an attempted robbery Saturday in Brazil.
Tyler Harding, from the Stewart Ward of Mesa, Ariz., his Brazilian companion and another church member were returning home from a full day of service in the Brazil Joao Pessoa Mission. They were approached by a young gunman who demanded their belongings, according to Maricopa Stake President Jerry Lewis in Mesa.
"They gave the man their backpacks, and after going through them, he turned around and shot Elder Harding in the head," Lewis said.
Harding was shot above his right eye and reportedly lost a great deal of blood. He was taken to a public hospital in Paraiba, where doctors removed bone and bullet fragments from his head. Since Saturday night, doctors and nurses have reported significant improvement in his condition.
"It's been a miraculous recovery," Lewis said. "His neurological scores are wonderful and have improved to normal."
Lewis said Harding has full use of his body and was able to sit up and eat breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday. Harding's parents have left the United States to be with him.
"Saturday night seemed like the end of the world for us," Eldon Harding, Tyler's father, told the Deseret Morning News in a telephone interview.
He said it was a tough night for the whole family, but a lot of worries were relieved Sunday when the good reports were received.
He said Tyler's mother would like him to come home, but doctors have said he will need to be monitored closely for at least three weeks.
A statement from the church said Brazilian police have arrested a suspect in the incident.