Police: Teen, 14, Crashes Into House After Being Shot While Driving In Stockton
STOCKTON (CBS13) – Officers were investigating after a 14-year-old was shot while driving, causing him to crash into a house on Acapulco Way, the Stockton Police Department said on Wednesday.
Stockton police said the shooting happened at around 1:30 p.m. near Santa Paula Way.
Two minors on foot allegedly fired shots at the 14-year-old, who was hospitalized with what police described as non-life-threatening injuries. The victim's mother, Cyrinthia Adams, said he was shot four times and had just left his house to go to the gym.
Adams said her son called her after being shot just yards away from their house.
"He said 'Mom I've been shot, I've been shot,'" Adams said. "I heard the gunshots but the feeling I felt in my stomach, I just knew."
After being shot, the teenager reportedly sped away before crashing into a nearby home, police said. No other injuries were reported. Adams said her son was stable at the hospital.
"I'm not in this area by choice. I'm here because that's what I could afford," said Adams. "If you live in a neighborhood that has a lot of this, you can really keep your child out of the way and try your best and this could easily be you still."
Adams recently just had surgery. Family members say the mother allowed her son to drive to the gym, so he would have transportation. The teen was trying to get in shape with hopes of later playing football.
The young teen keeps to himself and is not involved in any gangs, according to family members. His Aunt, Charmetra Urssery, and other family members are questioning why he was targeted.
"It could happen to anybody, for a kid who don't bother nobody, straight homebody, trying to lose weight, going to the gym. What was the problem?" said Urssery.
The family is blaming the neighborhood for the violence.
"Hoodlums are out here wanting to make a name for themselves and do stuff, that's what it is at the end of the day," Urssery said.
As her son lays in a hospital bed recovering, Adams says she no longer feels safe in her own home.
"What do a person do that's scared to sleep. I just paid rent," she said. "Do I pray to God they don't come finish me off, you tell me what do I do."
Police are still searching for the suspects.
