Whether they knew him for years or just learned of him through the news last week, friends and strangers alike are giving their time, cash and well-wishes to support shooting victim Brendan "Dan" McKown.

"He's the type of person who thinks about others before himself. He's a kind, caring guy. Just a great friend," the Tacoma man said. "Any way I can help him and his family, I'd do it at a drop of the hat."

Brannon is among more than 45 comedians who have volunteered to throw a comedy benefit for fellow stand-up comic McKown on Monday evening at the Area 151 club in Tacoma. A benefit concert by the Christian music group Vision is in the works.

Meanwhile, "tons" of customers who met McKown through his job as assistant manager at Excalibur Cutlery & Gifts at Tacoma Mall are stopping by the store to drop off cards and donations for McKown, said store manager Cara Flynn.

McKown, 38, was among six people shot last Sunday at the Tacoma Mall by a man who appeared to be firing at people at random. Dominick S. Maldonado, 20, of Tacoma, has pleaded not guilty to charges in the incident.

The most seriously wounded of the victims, McKown suffered spinal damage and probably will never walk again. He remained in serious but stable condition Saturday in Tacoma General Hospital's intensive care unit. He initially was placed on a respirator, which was removed Thursday.

McKown's family members think McKown, who was carrying a gun, might have pulled the weapon on the shooter and stopped the assailant from shooting more people.

McKown was the last one shot before the gunman took four people hostage. All eventually were released unharmed. Police said earlier that it was unclear whether McKown pulled out his gun, and they have not released what McKown told them during an interview Friday.

Though she was shocked to hear from him, she noted that McKown loves to talk on the phone. At Thanksgiving and Christmas, he goes through his address book and calls everyone to wish them happy holidays, she said.

Though McKown was medicated, he tried to crack jokes and was in good spirits, Barnett said. "We talked about how lucky he was to still be alive."

Barnett met McKown through the Comedy Underground club about five years ago. Barnett, who has since moved to Los Angeles, will headline Monday's comedy benefit.

Tacoma comic Mike Agostini has never met McKown but has posted flyers about the benefit and let organizers use his private comedy workshop, Trader Jokes, for media interviews.

Agostini feels connected to the mall shooting: His 17-year-old son was working there when it happened. The teen wasn't injured, but he saw shoppers fleeing.

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