“I put everything in God’s hands” – victim’s mother

A shooting incident at the Cane End Playing Field last Sunday has left a teenager of Evesham with a bullet lodged in his back.{{more}}

Travis Mapp, 18, who is now a patient at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, told SEARCHLIGHT that doctors say any attempt to remove the bullet could leave him paralyzed. Travis’ mother Vian Mapp also said that she was told by doctors that her son could lose his ability to walk.

“I put everything in God’s hands,” the young man’s mother said.

“The doctor told me that if the bullet come out he will be cripple,” she continued.

At present, Travis is able to stand and walk around.

Vian said that her next step is to try to raise some funds so that her son could seek medical attention abroad.

The upset mother is defending her son, saying that he was not involved in any form of gang related activity.

Vian said that Travis left home on Sunday evening shortly after 6, accompanied by his brother, cousin and an aunt.

Travis said when the incident occurred, he was standing in the vicinity of one of the goal posts with his brother and cousin, when he heard what sounded like an explosion.

The youth said that it sounded like a “scratch” bomb, but he did not see any smoke.

People started running and soon after, he felt a burning sensation on his back.

“So me touch me back with me finger and me see blood, so me call me cousin,” he said.

Vian says that she hopes that the person or persons responsible for injuring her son will eventually be arrested.

“Is God spare he life and I go like to get justice,” Vian said.

“As a poor lady struggling hard and a young man who now get a job,” she continued.

Travis Mapp was one of five people who received gunshot wounds while at the finals of the 2013 Marriaqua football tournament.

The incident occurred just before 10 p.m.

According to a police report, Omarie Thomas, 16 years old, of Freeland was wounded on his right leg; Oranique McKenzie, a 16-year-old student of Mt Pleasant was wounded on his left arm; Nicholas James, a 34-year-old labourer of Mesopotamia was wounded on his left hand and Cassanique Dowers, 23 years old, unemployed, of Sayers, was grazed by a bullet on his back.

Police are investigating. Up to press time, no one had been arrested in connection with the shooting incident.(DD)