A 13-year-old Maryland boy died after being shot in the head while raking leaves in his front yard, according to his devastated family, and authorities have yet to identify a suspect or motive in the senseless slaying.
Jayz Agnew died in the hospital on Friday, three days after being hit by gunfire, his mother, Juanita Agnew, announced on Saturday.
“I’ve seen gun violence before and I’ve seen where other mothers go through this, but it doesn’t hurt until you really are the one that’s getting that kind of call,” the grieving mom said.
Aisha Braveboy, the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County, confirmed Friday that the young teen died as a result of his injuries.
Around 5:20 p.m. Tuesday, Jayz was doing yardwork as part of his chores in the Washington, DC, suburb of Hillcrest Heights when someone opened fire.
Neighbors reported hearing between five and seven gunshots and seeing a car speed away.
A bullet struck the eighth-grader in the head, and he was rushed to Children’s Hospital in critical condition.
Prince George’s County police do not believe that Jayz was an intended target and are offering a $25,000 reward for information in the case. As of Monday, there had been no arrests.
Speaking to news station WJLA, Juanita said her son dreamed of becoming an emergency room doctor.
She also described him as a “loving gentle child” on a GoFundMe page, adding that “his only squabbles are with his little sister Aaliyah over video games.”
The heartbroken mom of two said Jayz was “very playful” and never disrespectful or rude.
She said she cannot grasp why anyone felt the need to hurt him.
“My greatest fear is my son will not get justice,” she said.
In an interview with Fox Baltimore, Juanita said she had urged her son not to wander the neighborhood and to stay home because she was trying to keep him safe.
“Those parameters I had in place for him, with the thought being at home was okay,” she explained.
“He was in the front yard. It hurts to know that’s what he did and still violence came to his house.”
Jayz’s dad, who had been doing yardwork with him but stepped away for a few minutes, heard gunshots and ran back to find his son on the ground.
source:nsemwokrom.com
