The family of border officer Lori Bowcock say they expect her full recovery and that the wounded woman's thoughts and prayers are with the family of the man who shot her Tuesday at the Peace Arch crossing in B.C.

Bowcock was seriously wounded by Andrew Crews, 32, a Seattle man who then turned his handgun on himself. Bowcock was airlifted to hospital with neck wounds; Crews was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bowcock’s family released a statement Thursday saying that she is doing well and that they're grateful she's alive.

Officials say border services officer Lori Bowcock is expected to make a full recovery. (CBSA)

The statement paints a picture of someone who was cut down while pursuing her dream career after years of working as a 911 operator in Ontario.

The family also said Bowcock wanted to acknowledge how difficult the situation must be for the family of the man who shot her.

Officials from the Canada Border Services Agency updated Bowcock's condition later on Thursday.

“I’m happy to report that Lori actually took her first few steps today,” said CBSA’s B.C. and Yukon executive director Kim Scoville.

"Despite the injuries, she is talking, is very clear, communicative and is determined to get better.”

Scoville added that Bowcock was asking about the welfare of others even as she was being loaded onto the helicopter near the scene of the shooting Tuesday.

“After being shot in the neck at close range, barely able to speak, her only concern was 'Was anybody else injured?' " said Scoville.

Gunman's family baffled

Family and friends of gunman Crews are still reeling from the incident, unable to explain or fathom what prompted his actions.

“I'm still in shock that my man is gone," Crews’ cousin Keith Munyon told CBC News Thursday.

Munyon said Crews, a respected tattoo artist, had recently taken up a new job at a parlour in Seattle.

"Why drive to Canada to the border to do that?” Munyon said.

The investigation into the shooting is being carried out by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, a combined-force unit in B.C.’s Lower Mainland.

With files from the CBC's Terry Donnelly and Kirk Williams