Injured Oakton Grad: Fundraiser Underway for Medical Costs, After Blast Injury in NY's Central Park

By BRENDAN KRISEL (Patch Staff)

NEW YORK -- A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help cover the medical expenses of the Oakton High School graduate who stepped on an amateur explosive device in Central Park on July 3.

Connor Golden, 19, a University of Miami student from Fairfax, had his leg amputated below the knee when he stepped on what has been described as a rudimentary explosive device, police said.

Parents from Oakton High School — Golden's alma mater — established the GoFundMe campaign called the "The Connor Golden Fund," in order to "help the Golden family as they face extraordinary medical expenses in seeing Connor through his recovery."

As of Tuesday afternoon the fund had raised more than $35,000 from more than 500 donations in four days.

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Golden's parents released a statement through Bellevue Hospital in New York, thanking the medical staff that helped their son recover and thanking those that have been supportive of the family:

"We are humbled and profoundly touched by the enormous outpouring of love, prayers and support from family and friends, fellow Hurricanes from the University of Miami, the residents and public officials of New York City and the public at large," said the statement sent to Patch.

In the statement, it was also revealed that Golden turned 19 years old over the weekend, on July 9, while recovering in the hospital. Golden will soon be released from Bellevue Hospital to receive treatment and recovery in Northern Virginia, his parents said in the statement.

Officials said that the explosion in Central Park that sent Golden to the hospital was likely caused by an "explosive experiment" that is not related to any sort of terrorist activities. Officials initially responded around 10:53 a.m. at Fifth Avenue and East 68th Street on July 3 for a major injury with a "possible amputation," the FDNY said.

In a press conference, Lt. Mark Torre, commanding officer of the New York Police Department's bomb squad, said the device was likely not created to harm people but was a rudimentary explosive created by someone who had a basic understanding of chemistry.

Forensic evidence from the blast has been sent to a police lab. It is still not known who made the explosive or why it was left in the park.

Photo: Courtesy of the Golden family.