PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A Philadelphia mother is grateful her 17-year-old son is still alive after being struck by a stray bullet while he was inside the home of his football coach in Frankford.
“The whole situation is sad and tragic, but it could have been a whole lot worse. So we’re just glad that we still have Jayden,” said his mother, Bahisha Durbin.
Philadelphia police released video of one of the suspects wanted in the shooting.
Detectives said the gunman fired multiple rounds on the 1500 block of Adams Avenue before 1:30 a.m. on September 1. Some bullets went through the living room window where Jayden was playing video games with his friends. Police believe the home was not the intended target.
“He fell on the floor and then tried to run down the basement. When he got up to run down the basement, he got hit in the back with one of the bullets,” said Durbin.
Police rushed Jayden to the hospital, where doctors removed the bullet from his back muscle. He suffered a fractured spine.
“They said if it was an inch to the right, then my baby would have been paralyzed,” said Durbin. “You never think it will be your kid. You try so hard to protect them, send them to good schools, surround them around good people. He’s at his coach’s house. That’s crazy.”
Durbin said Jayden is recovering physically, but is struggling mentally and is even scared to be in the city.
The young quarterback also fears this is the end of his football career.
“He can’t play football, and that’s what’s really killing him. He’s a quarterback. His season is over. It’s his junior year,” said Durbin.
But Durbin reminds Jayden to remain hopeful.
“Jayden, yes, this is really messed up that this happened to you, but look, you can walk. You are here,” said Durbin. “So we just try to encourage him to focus on the positive and not the negative.”
Detectives do not have a motive at this time.
Anyone with information can contact Shooting Investigation Group Headquarters or leave an anonymous tip at 215-686-TIPS.
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