Friends of an elderly woman shot in downtown Brookhaven Saturdaysay she is in good spirits in spite of her frightening weekend.

First Baptist Church officials said Eva Pullen underwent surgerySunday, and that they would know more about her progress aftervisits Monday morning. However, the 85-year-old’s attitude hasremained positive, said church secretary Ann Dunbar.

“We’ve got a minister on his way up there now to go see her,”she said. “I’ve heard she’s had some pain but is doing fine.”

Pullen was sitting in her car in a handicapped parking spot inthe parking lot between the Brookhaven Lincoln County Chamber ofCommerce and Fred’s on Whitworth Avenue Saturday just before noonwhen she was shot four times by two assailants who took herpurse.

Brothers Quincy Walker, 22, and David Walker, 20, were arrestedby Brookhaven police and charged with aggravated assault and armedrobbery within hours of the incident.

Dunbar also commented on Pullen’s character and ability to staypositive.

“I’d be mad,” she said. “But Ms. Eva’s just not that way. She’sa forgiving person.”

Meanwhile, the Brookhaven community is still shocked at theincident, said Downtown Association representative Jay Perkins.

“Everyone’s concerned, especially those who live downtown, butwe’re glad that it was resolved quickly and we’re hoping that it’sisolated,” Perkins said. “But I think that you really do have tolook at this as an isolated event, because these random things canhappen anywhere.”

Brookhaven Police Department officials said the incident doesappear to be anomalous.

“It’s unfortunate what happened, but we had people in thoseareas and that’s why we responded so quickly,” said Police ChiefPap Henderson. “We provide those services every day in every area,and we’ll continue to provide the services that we need in thistown. This wasn’t called for, and we want people to feelcomfortable in their hometown.”

Henderson said no additional charges have been filed yet againstthe Walker brothers, but that the situation is still underinvestigation. He said, however, that police are comfortable thatthey have made all the arrests needed in the incident.

“This is an unfortunate incident that happened, and I’m verysorry about it, but I’m very comfortable in our safety,” the chiefsaid. “Brookhaven is a good place, it’s always been a good place,and it will continue to be a good place.”

In the meantime, he said he has been in contact with members ofthe public who just wanted to know that they are still safe.

“Several people have contacted me, and I can understand thembeing nervous and upset,” he said. “But in a situation like this,if someone breaks the law, we’re going to do something aboutit.”