Brendan "Dan" McKown, the most severely wounded victim in Sunday's Tacoma Mall shooting, has no ... Loved ones unite to raise c

Brendan "Dan" McKown, the most severely wounded victim in Sunday's Tacoma Mall shooting, has no health insurance, and friends and family are working to raise money for his medical bills.

He was slowly being weened off his ventilator and regaining consciousness Wednesday. He started to talk to his family and hospital staff, spokesman Todd Kelley said.

He faces tens of thousands of dollars in hospital and other bills, and additional long-term bills for treating his wounds, physical therapy, a specially equipped vehicle and other expenses.

Because he has no health insurance, his family says he needs financial help. People can chip in at two benefits - a comedy show Monday in Tacoma and a planned performance by the band Vision from Ferndale, Whatcom County.

At least 29 comedians are expected to perform at the comedy benefit Monday at the Area 151 club in Tacoma. McKown has done stand-up comedy, and his friends in the comedy community are pitching in to help him.

They will be asking for a $10 donation at the door, or whatever can be given. All the door money goes to help McKown, who has himself done fundraising for a local food bank. Thirty percent of bar sales are going to McKown, too. The comics are not being paid.

The headliner is a friend of McKown, Ty Barnett, who performed recently on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and who is taping a half-hour show for Comedy Central in December.

McKown "is a really, really nice guy," Barnett said. "He thinks of other people before he thinks of himself. You can't say one bad thing about him."

Vision, a Christian music group, wants to do a benefit for McKown, too, but need a venue and haven't found one yet, said the group's manager, Jennifer Gable.

• The Area 151 club, 3505 South Tacoma Way in Tacoma, will host a comedy show Monday to raise money. Comedian Ty Barnett will be the headliner. The show runs from 8 to 10 p.m. A $10 donation, or whatever can be given, will be requested at the door. Call 253-476-1888 for more information.

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