And while officers will be cracking down on illegal gatherings over the weekend, they're also still investigating the recent spree of gun violence we've been seeing including the tragic shooting of 15-year-old Kassman Gill. The incident shocked the nation, and led the Police Minister to call a state of emergency something he called a last resort.
But while Kassman's shooter hasn't been caught yet, the teen is still hanging on to life. While he seemed to be in a dire state back in August, today his father told us he's doing a bit better, but that he still has a long road to recovery which may include walking again. Courtney Menzies spoke with him and has this update.
The 15-year-old who became an innocent victim in an ongoing gang war is still fighting for his life. Kassman Gill has been in the hospital since August 16th after he was shot on Magazine Road. His father checks up on him regularly and told us today things are beginning to look up.
Cecil Gill - Father
"There's two procedures that he had done where they put a tube down his throat for him to breathe and a tube in his stomach to feed him. So those procedures were successful and so far his lungs have been holding up, the oxygen level has been at about 97/98. His organs are doing good. The infection in the lungs seems to be going away as well, according to the doctor only the inflammation there."
And for this father who struggles to see his teenage son so helpless, a simple nod of the head from Kassman is enough for him to remain optimistic.
Cecil Gill
"For a short time he was awake and I was able to communicate with him. He responded to my command as I asked him did he recognize me and he shook his head yes. I ask him was he in any pain at that moment, he shook his head and he said no. So I always, whenever I go the hospital, I play a little music and I would sing along and I would rub his head and I asked him if he likes when I rub his head and he said yes and those are good signs for him. This is only the first phase. We have the spinal injury that we would have to deal with after we get this cleared up in the lung area and get him stable. And our goal is to try to see if we can get him broad to get the required treatment, the necessary treatment for the spinal injury, that's the most important thing and we haven't reached that crossroad again."
Courtney Menzies
"Is there still hope that he will be able to walk again?"
Cecil Gill
"Well I am hopeful, I am praying he will. We honestly would like for him to pursue his dreams. At this moment he still doesn't have any feeling from the neck down."
And that's because, as Gill explained, the gunman stood over Kassman and shot him straight in the back.
Cecil Gill
"We were able to see some video footage and it shows you where the first encounter with Kassman and the perpetrator was at the corner of Banak and Magazine and he rode around and came around on Cemetery Road and he came and met Kassman further down on Magazine Road and that's where he shot Kassman. And the sad thing about is that when he shot my son and my son fell on his stomach, he again got off his bike and got over him and shot him in his back. Which to me indicate that he wanted to kill my boy. After the police arrive and the bystanders were telling the police to pick him up, he's still alive. They said they're not gonna move him because they don't have gloves so it was the bystanders as you guys see in the video clipping who actually picked up my son and I'd like to give thanks to them as well because if it wasn't for them, my son wouldn't be here. And I don't care what condition my son is in, I want him here, we want him."
And Gill has a few words of thanks to the medical staff tending to Kassman and everyone who has supported them in some way. However, Kassman's journey is not inexpensive and they are pleading for financial assistance to cover the cost of the hospital bills.
Cecil Gill
"We want to just thank the team at the KHMH for the job that they are doing and right now the hospital is overwhelmed with patients and the team up there at the ICU, they're doing a magnificent job working with whatever tools they have. So you know we are grateful, we are thankful for the prayers and the support from the community. People that we haven't even met have extended their support and have shown us love so the family is more than grateful. Things could turn any minute so we do this with caution and we have a lot to deal with. This is a long journey that we have, an arduous journey, it's very challenging, it's a challenge for this family financially, emotionally, and the financial burden is rough and the bills keep mounting so we appreciate the support people have been giving, the donation people have been giving, we ask that you continue to give us the donations because we need it."
If anyone would like to donate to help alleviate the financial burden on the Gill family, they can contact Cecil Gill at 605-3186. There is also a GoFundMe link that will be posted on our Facebook page.
