Gama Droiville, 13-Year-Old Boy Shot In Brooklyn, Returns To School
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A 13-year-old Brooklyn boy received a big welcome back when he returned to school for the first time since he was shot.
Eighth-grader Gama Droiville, described as a top-notch student at I.S. 285, was shot in the eye with a stray bullet earlier this month while waiting for a bus in East Flatbush.
Droiville was released from the hospital last week and returned to school Monday morning.
"I just want to say thank you for all the support and prayers and to still keep me in prayer," Droiville said.
The church choirboy who captured the heart of the city is not out of the woods just yet.
His father, Jimmy Marcel, said he'll need more surgeries as doctors try to save his sight in his right eye.
"We're still working hard," Marcel said. "Our concern right now is Gama, to make sure Gama is OK."
Gama, who was treated for nine days at Kings County Medical Center, said he is relying on his faith in God to help get him through and hopefully get back to living a normal life.
"I haven't been through a lot of pain, but I'm feeling OK," Droiville said Monday.
He told CBS 2's Andrea Grymes that it felt "great" to see his classmates again.
"He is a testament to inspiration and courage, and we are so glad to have him back," said Principal Frederick Underwood.
Gama's pastor also spoke out, imploring young people to stay in church, stay in school and stay away from gun violence.
City Councilman Jumaane Williams, D-Brooklyn, who accompanied Droiville to school Monday, said the boy's case and the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old over the weekend not far from the school illustrate the horrible outcomes of gun violence.
"I know if it was a police officer who shot that kid, the whole neighborhood would be out here outraged," Williams said. "I want to see that same outrage when anyone is killed or shot."
Elected officials also announced that a fund to help pay for Gama's rehabilitation and education has been set up. Click here for more information.
Droiville was waiting for a bus with his aunt at Beverley Road and Flatbush Avenue when he heard five to seven gunshots — one of them piercing his eye.
Police say 21-year-old Kareen Potomont fired the shots, hitting his presumed target in the leg, as well as Droiville.
Potomont has been charged with two counts each of attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal use of a firearm and reckless endangerment.
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