A 15-year-old was sitting on the couch inside his home in Mahogany Heights last night, around 9, when a gun man kicked open his back door and bullets began flying.
We won't share this name or picture, but the teenager was hit in his stomach; the bullet lodging itself in his spine. And though he had urgently needed blood, his family is hopeful that he will survive. Still, doctors have warned that he may be paralysed.
The village's chairman lamented to us that the shooting is the second gun-related incident to happen in less than a week.
Simeon Alvarez, Chairman, Mahogany Heights
"I made a call to the police station and they have me certain information and shortly after that about an hour or two after several shots were heard in the village and I continue to communicate with the police to find out basically what was happening in the village, because it is of grave concern, especially for the residents and I being the chairman for this village and as a retired police officer, I am concern about crime within the community and having two incidents of this nature within a week, it's about 3-4 houses apart. The fellow Gladden was killed one stone throw from here and now this minor 15 years old was shot in the abdomen. Thank the good Lord that he is alive at this time. I would hope the best for him. At that age of 15 to be paralysed, that's a serious situation."
And prior to last year, Alvarez said the village hadn't seen a murder since 2016. But following these two most recent incidents, the OC Eastern Division, ACP Howell Gillett met with Alvarez to discuss the recent spike in crime. And according to the chairman, it's the lack of proper lighting and bushy areas that provide cover for the gunmen.
Simeon Alvarez, Chairman, Mahogany Heights
"The criminals them would usually night time to operate and if the area is dark, it would be best for them to whatsoever they want to do. But once the area is properly lighted, they will not take the chance, because they will be easily identified. So, lighting the community is of importance for the community at this time and then for the residents to feel safe, the presence of the police. I think about a couple months ago Commissioner Chester Williams have strengthen up the department and I would tell you that yesterday 3 mobiles were in the village, but the criminals they do their assignment, they monitor the movements of the police before they hit, because the police cannot be there and here at any given time. The police are doing their ground work and I believe they will get down to the bottom as to find out exactly what is causing this crisis in the community at this time."
