ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) – A mother in St. Louis is opening up about the terrifying moment when her 13-year-old son was shot while he was sleeping.
Talonda White, speaking to First Alert 4, said, “Whatever reason they decided to shoot, now I have a 13-year-old kid in the ICU.”
Her son, JaVoni Ball, was shot Monday night while in their apartment on Goodfellow Place. White is staying by his side as he recovers. She says JaVoni is a student at North Side Community Charter School and had just received an award earlier that day. “He’s a respectful kid. He’s a straight-A student. He’s just, he’s an all-around good kid,” White explained.
The shooting happened around 11 p.m. Monday night while White’s family was asleep. She was jolted awake by a shocking scene.
“Once I came out, he was laying on the floor, saying, ‘Mommy, I got shot.’ I immediately dialed 911,” White said.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD), the shots were fired from outside the apartment. JaVoni was rushed to the hospital, where his mother says he remains in critical but stable condition.
“He’s up, he’s talking, he’s jumping, he’s ready to get out of the bed, but unfortunately, he can’t,” White said.
Mitch McCoy, Director of Public Affairs and Information for SLMPD, said, “No family should have to endure such pain. We are fully committed to seeking justice for this 13-year-old.”
Police are now asking the community for help in solving the shooting.
“We need our entire community to come together, especially when the victims are innocent. They do not deserve to be victims of gunfire. They’re young. They have a whole life ahead of them,” McCoy said.
White echoed this call for support and is hoping someone will come forward with information that could lead to justice for her son.
“Just do the right thing. If you know something, please tell. Help him out,” she urged.
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