Mass. teen paralyzed after friend accidentally shoots him while playing with gun

A Massachusetts teen has been “permanently paralyzed” after he was accidentally shot in the neck Saturday while a friend was showing him a gun.

The bullet struck the spinal cord of Jemil Evans, 19, according to a GoFundMe page.

“He is permanently paralyzed and will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life,” the post states.

Jemil Evans
Jemil Evans


Jemil Evans (GoFundMe.com/)

According to People, the incident occurred at the home of Alec Augustino Braz, 22, in Woburn, about 12 miles northwest of Boston.

“Braz was showing him a newly acquired handgun and in the process it was an unintentional discharge which struck the victim in the neck,” Woburn Police Department Chief Bob Rufo Jr. told People. Braz told people that he thought the gun was unloaded with the safety engaged.

“A very very poor decision that in a matter of seconds both lives tragically changed,” Rufo Jr. said.

Police said that Braz initially said a masked intruder was seen running through the kitchen after the gunshot but later changed his story.

“It was ascertained pretty quickly the original story was fictitious and the truth was finally told,” Rufo said.

Rufo said that records showed Braz had received his gun license in April 2021.

Braz now faces charges of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling and improper storage of a firearm. Rufo said Braz pleaded not guilty and was released on bail on Monday.

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