Milton community coming together to support a local musician who was shot on New Year’s Eve

MILTON, Del.- One family’s life changed forever on New Year’s Eve,  after they received tragic news that their loved one, Mark Anthony Gratton, was allegedly shot by an ex-girlfriend at his music studio in Milton.

“I think that was probably the first emotions were just fear, just absolute fear,” Teresa Mickel, the victim’s current girlfriend, said.

Mickel said Gratton was going to the studio to talk with his ex-girlfriend.

Mickel told us she texted Gratton at 5:17 p.m. to wish him good luck with the conversation.

She said a minute later Gratton texted her back saying his ex-girlfriend shot him in the stomach.

“I immediately rushed to Milton and I got there just in time to see the ambulance pull away,” Mickel said.

Mickel and Gratton’s families said they’re in disbelief this happened.

We’re told he’s a piano teacher in the Milton community and plays at venues like Sydney’s and the Fox Hole.

“He wants to touch peoples hearts with his music to grow people that he teaches and he is a true dedicated musician,” Mark Gratton, the victim’s dad, said.

The family has set up a Go Fund Me to help Gratton pay for medical bills, and they’ve already raised $9,000 dollars.

“You don’t know until you’re in that type of situation where the rubber meets the road how people can rally and just show their love,” the victim’s dad said.

As Gratton recovers, the family told us they want the community and doctors to know how grateful they are for all of their support.

“We could never begin to say thank you to everyone out there everyone and what it means is that Mark has had a positive impact on peoples lives,” the victim’s dad said.