The family of a construction worker shot while fixing a fence in Phoenix said the teen has a long recovery journey ahead.
Jamal Avery’s wife and mom spoke with ABC15 a little over a month after the shooting that left the 19-year-old badly injured and 48-year-old Alan Whitworth dead . Jamal’s family is reaching out to the community for help as the young father has been transferred to a rehabilitation facility.
“It was terrifying,” said Jamal’s wife Letecia Avery. “It was not expected.”
Letecia described the day her husband was shot while working on a fencing project in Phoenix with Whitworth, his cousin’s fiancé.
“It was senseless,” said Letecia. “He totally left. Could have stayed gone and decided to come back anyways.”
Letecia said she was near 40th Street and Thomas Road waiting for her husband to finish work when the shooting happened. Whitworth died at the scene, while Jamal was critically injured .
“Then being in the hospital is also very draining,” said Letecia. “Not knowing if he was going to be okay.”