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Anti-violence group highlighting wounded Muncie boy

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) – An 8-year-old boy who was shot in Muncie last year is becoming the face of a community anti-violence campaign.

Tyler Gordon was playing near a park on the day of the shooting in May 2015. He ran and hid behind bushes, but was hit in the abdomen and hand. At first, he and his sister, Tyliyah White, thought he was shot by a BB gun. But he passed out later, and the children’s grandmother, Bridgett Ingram, said she knew what was later confirmed by paramedics, that Tyler had a bullet in his stomach.

Tyler underwent surgery at two hospitals, and Ingram said the bullet stayed inside him. He now has a long scar running down his stomach, and might eventually need more surgery to remove the bullet.

The Star Press reports Tyler and his grandmother have joined the Unity Center as spokespeople, and his picture will soon be on billboards around town. The center has received $5,000 from Champions for a Safe Community for efforts to decrease gun violence.

The aim is to make the center a safe place to report gun activity and teach children that reporting isn’t “snitching.”

“I hope it’s working,” Ingram said. “(Children) can’t go out and play and enjoy themselves.”

The project is still being planned, but the center hopes to have a gun drop-off and speaking events.

Two people were arrested after the shooting and are charged with two counts each of attempted murder and aggravated battery. Authorities allege they fired gunshots May 6 and also struck a 17-year-old. Their trials are set to begin next month.