Exclusive: Teen Shooting Victim Shares His Story

Courtney Francisco,

[gtxvideo vid=”5v7hHV6A” playlist=”” pid=”Bbt3TRDe” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/5v7hHV6A.jpg” vtitle=”teen shot”]

CHARLOTTE, NC — A 14-year-old boy recounts the night another teen shot him and left him for dead. Β The victim and his mother agreed to speak only with WCCB Charlotte’s Courtney Francisco.
Β 
An afternoon of skateboarding for D’Andre Martin ended in gunfire. Β Another 14 year old neighborhood boy shot him.
Β 
“I thought I was going to die,” said Martin. “That’s why I prayed first… I asked God to forgive me for all my sins and to bless me and my family.”
Β 
It was a boy he knew. Although, we can’t release his name because he’s charged as a juvenile.
Β 
“I wouldn’t have thought that person would have shot me,” said Martin. “I wouldn’t have thought anyone would try to shoot me because I don’t mess with anyone.”
Β 
It wasΒ February 3rdΒ in the Grier Heights neighborhood. Martin was on his way home from the skate park, and he’d almost made it there. He wasn’t even a block away when he says a boy in a field called his name. He walked up, and that child shot him.
Β 
Martin says he crawled down the hill for help before losing consciousness.
Β 
“It hurts me to my heart,” said Courtney Monroe.Β 
Β 
Neighbors told Monroe someone shot her son. She ran to his side until medics arrived.
Β 
“This is a miracle right here, you know? He had a whole lot of damage,” said Monroe. “It went through his appendix, his small intestines and a major vein in his leg.”
Β 
He spent 20 days in the hospital. Β On day three, police say the shooter confessed after officers arrested him in connection to a car theft. Β To the see previous report, click here.
Β 
“This young man is a menace,” said Monroe. “If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t have shot an innocent boy.”
Β 
Investigators won’t say how the 14-year-old got the gun, if it was stolen or if someone provided it.
Β 
“It’s easy to get a gun,” said Martin. “They can rob someone. Someone who’s on drugs might do a trade.”
Β 
Martin is back in school.Β 
Β 
“I used to couldn’t sleep,” said Martin. “It’s a pretty bad experience.”
Β 
He still looks over his shoulder in his own back yard. Β His mother will be in court Thursday alone to face her son’s shooter for the first time.

Β