A Chicago teen who appeared in an ant-gun violence public service announcement (PSA) was struck by a stray bullet while walking home last week.
Zarriel Trotter, 13, was struck in the back by a stray bullet after a fight broke out in his neighbourhood Friday night, ABC News reported.
Chicago Police said an argument between two groups escalated when someone pulled out a gun and fired several shots, hitting Trotter, the news channel reported. The teen was not affiliated with either group, police said.
As the Chicago Tribune points out, Trotter was part of an anti-violence campaign last year. The boy was featured in a minute-long YouTube video where seven black youths spoke out about the affects of neighbourhood violence.
“The leading cause of death for black boys and teens: HOMICIDE,” reads a message at the start of the PSA.
Trotter was among several Grade 3 through Grade 8 boys interviewed for the PSA. The video received an Advocacy Media Award earlier this month, the newspaper reported.
“I don’t want to live around in my community where I got to keep on hearing and hearing people keep on getting shot, people keep on getting killed,” Trotter said in the video.
The principal of the school where the anti-violence video was recorded told ABC News the boy was also involved in a mentorship program at the school.
“He’s a great a scholar,” Elizabeth Jamison-Dunn told the news channel. “I’ve known him since he was a little boy. He has a brother in third grade — he’s a great big brother for his younger brother.”
Trotter underwent surgery on Saturday and he remains in hospital in critical condition, the Tribune reported.
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