Nationwide — Jeremy Herred Jr., an African American teen from Chicago, Illinois, who was shot by a former lifeguard over the summer season, is slowly recovering after greater than three months within the hospital. He’s now paralyzed and makes use of a ventilator, however will quickly start rehabilitation.
In June, Jeremy, then 14 years previous, went swimming with associates at Douglass Park pool. What started as a standard summer season day resulted in tragedy when photographs have been fired, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the neck, whereas one other teen, 15-year-old Marjay Dotson, died from his accidents.
The alleged shooter, former park district lifeguard Charles Leto, was arrested and charged with homicide and tried homicide. Leto has pleaded not responsible, claiming he acted in self-defense. His subsequent court docket look is predicted quickly.
After spending greater than 100 days in a hospital mattress, Jeremy is making ready to switch to a rehabilitation facility. His father, Jeremy Herred Sr., stated his son has proven small however significant progress.
“It nonetheless ain’t what we knew him earlier than the scenario, however we [are] grateful for the progress thus far,” his father instructed ABC 7 Chicago. “Each step, day-after-day, little wins, how he was once they introduced him, simply taking it daily.”
The bullet broken an artery and Jeremy’s C4 vertebrae, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. Regardless of the challenges, his dad and mom stay hopeful and give attention to celebrating every signal of enchancment. They imagine rehab will assist him adapt to his new situation.
Jeremy’s classmates lately visited him and stated he regarded higher than earlier than. “It feels form of good. He regarded higher and appeared higher than when it first occurred,” stated his good friend, Quinton Goins. One other good friend, Rashiya Hood, added, “I hope that he will get higher and he [is] in a position to get again to the issues that he used to do. I do know he’s not going to be precisely the identical. I hope he’ll have the ability to do what he was doing.”
For now, Jeremy’s dad and mom are specializing in sooner or later at a time. His mom stated he was drained however blissful to see acquainted faces. “Simply taking it daily. Nonetheless an extended street forward, however we’ll take this,” his father stated. “For now, we’ll take this.”
