Child shot in the eye returns to school with moving speech

Child shot in the eye returns to school with moving speech

By Andrew Scot Bolsinger

     A New York child shot in the eye is returning to school with a mission, according to the speech against gun violence he gave at King County Hospital’s community advisory board meeting on recently, reports the New York Daily News.

A literal choir boy, Gama Droiville said that “gun violence affects everyone more than they realize. Other kids like me need programs to help them.”

Droiville, 13, was with his aunt in the East Flatbush area of Brooklyn on April 14 when a stray bullet reportedly aimed at a gang rival struck him in his right eye.

Twenty-one year old Kareem Potomont was arrested and charged with attempted murder, reckless endangerment and assault.

Thirteen-year-old Droiville remains unable to see in his right eye.

“Only God knows. For now, we’re just waiting,” his aunt, Marie Droiville, said Saturday about his condition. “He’s going to a specialist this week.”

NYPD Officer Abraham Hidalgo was in the King’s County Emergency Room when Droiville came in fearing he might die.

“He’s a lovely kid,” Hidalgo said. “It’s a big difference, how he is now from then. Before, he was a disaster. We thought he was going to lose his life. He still has a long road ahead, but is so much better.”

Droiville also received a standing ovation for singing the national anthem with his church choir at Citi Field last Thursday.