Drive-by victim: 'Stop the violence'

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - On June 30, a man was shot in the back while walking home in Grand Rapids. He survived, but was left paralyzed from the waist down.

On Sunday, he spoke out about the drive-by shooting to 24 Hour News 8, and talked with others at Brown Hutcherson Ministries' blessing of the students.

Jimmy, who didn't want his last name used, wanted to share his message and story with others in West Michigan.

"It's getting terrible out there," he said. "To all the young and older teenagers -- stop the violence."

Organizers of Sunday's blessing hope to have an impact through prayer and Jimmy's lessons.

Jimmy remembers the events of June 30 vividly.

"(A) car flew past me and started shooting," Jimmy said. "(It) was like, I hope I don't pass away."

Paramedics rushed him to the hospital and "I didn't die," he said. "I survived."

Jimmy has prepared a testimony he hopes will spur change, at a time when violence in Grand Rapids is up. Aggravated assaults have increased 10 percent from last year, police said.

And Jimmy knows why he was targeted.

"I was in the streets," he said. "I was originally from (a gang).

"I dropped. I dropped to my knees. I was afraid."

The public is welcome at the blessing, which is set for 6:30 p.m.

When asked if he feels there is a reason he survived, Jimmy answered: "Yes. To tell him this testimony -- that's what I believe.

"It's a painful situation. I hope it just touch (their) hearts."

The man who Jimmy said shot him is in jail on another charge. Police expect they should be able to charge him with the drive-by, Jimmy told 24 Hour News 8.