Mom: It’s a miracle my son survived shooting
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Her teenage son was shot in the head almost a year ago. The Indianapolis mother says it’s a miracle that he survived.
Detectives say DeAndre Knox,13, was at a birthday party when a fight broke out last February. As a group of teens were leaving, someone started shooting. Knox was inside of the house when one of the bullets penetrated his skull.
IMPD has not made an arrest in the shooting near 38th Street and Guion Road.
Some of Knox’s classmates at the Imagine West Campus will be playing in a basketball tournament next Sunday. His classmates say they want to show their support for him and his family, as they continue to move forward.
Knox was on the basketball team at school and his close friends say the tournament is more than just about winning.
Daishon Witlock and George Beeler play basketball at the Indiana Life Science Academy.
“I feel good that I can play for him,” said Witlock. “I’m still doing it for him.”
They practice at least two or three times a week. Their team is 2-0 so far this season, but this year they’re missing a key player.
“He was a good friend and I really miss him. I haven’t gotten to play basketball with him in a while,” said Witlock. “I just couldn’t believe it happened to him.”
Even though DeAndre is hours away from home at a rehab facility, Yates say her son is in good spirits.
Recent photos show him making great progress and improvement.
“He’s standing with assistance up to 30 minutes, able to hold his head up, able to answer yes or no questions with a head nod,” said Yates. “He’s not saying words yet, but he’s able to yell so he still has a voice.”
Yates may not be able to see her son play basketball right now, but some of his classmates will play in his honor at the Pray For Dre, Play For Dre basketball tournament.
“We have basketball games and every time we have a basketball game we huddle up and we say a prayer for Dre,” said Witlock.
The goal of the tournament is to bring the community together under one roof for just one day.
Yates is hoping for a great turnout and that young teens will learn that there’s more to life than violence.
“It’s not all about the glitz and the glamour and the street life and the thug life, whatever they call it these days,” said Yates. “It’s not about that. It’s about making something of yourself and giving back to your community.”
Yates also wants to start a support group to unite parents, whose children have fallen victim to gun violence.
Yates tell 24-Hour News 8 that so far they have 15 teens sign up for the basketball tournament. It will take place at the Imagine West Campus on Sunday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. They need about 15 more people to join.
For more information on how you can register or how you can help, click here.
