Mother of 15-year-old boy shot in Newport News says family still isn’t safe
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Shavia Evans was tormented as she had to watch her then-15-year-old son fight for his life after being shot seven times.
“I saw my first born laying there bloody. I didn’t know if he was going to make it or not,” Evans said, remembering the moment she saw him on the surgery table.
She told 10 On Your Side that on the night of Jan. 2, 2023, her son Zymarion ran away from their Newport News home.
She immediately called police.
She said in what felt like only 30 minutes, officers found her son on 36th Street suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
“I was upset,” she said. “I couldn’t stop crying. It was a lot of emotions going on.”
Newport News Police told 10 On Your Side that 27-year-old Trashon Lamont Williams was arrested from the crime.
Court paperwork obtained Friday stated that last month, Williams was found guilty of malicious wounding and two firearm offenses in connection to the shooting.
Evans said she knows why Williams shot Zymarion, adding that the two used to hang out along with other guys.
“They accused him of something he didn’t do,” she said.
She told 10 On Your Side that while she’s thankful her son pulled through surgery and continued to go to school, the road to recovery hasn’t been easy.
“He has a titanium rod in his leg,” she said. “He’s lost feeling in three of his fingers.”
After the shooting, fear continues to follow this family.
“My son, he’s gotten threats,” she said. “I had to relocate my child so he doesn’t physically live with us. I had to relocate him with his father so that there’s no retaliation because he’s not dead.”
She had a message for any parents out there who might be going through the constant stress she said she feels everyday.
“Keep your babies close,” she said. “The streets don’t love our kids, the streets don’t love nobody.”
10 On Your Side reached out to police, asking if they were aware of the situation and if there was anything officers could do to help ease their worries.
We haven’t heard back yet.
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