PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Two recent shootings in the same Phoenix neighborhood, both appearing to target teens, remain unsolved with no arrests made.
It was just after dark when gunfire shattered a south Phoenix family’s lives. Seventeen-year-old Jonathan Walke was doing what thousands of teens do, riding his bike to grab a burger. But near 48th Street and Baseline Road, someone opened fire.
“You always think that something like this is never going to happen to you, your family or anyone you know and then when it does it’s like you’re slammed up against the wall and your breath is just gone,” said Brenda Mallory, Jonathan’s mom.
A bullet tore through Jonathan’s back and left him fighting for his life. He spent days in the hospital.
“We took him home on the 27th of September thinking everything was going to be ok. After about a couple days he kept throwing up and was unable to keep anything down, including water,” she explained.
Just days ago, he was readmitted to drain fluid building in his abdomen, a setback that’s becoming a pattern.
“They’re going to drain that today sometime and there’s a little bit of fluid in his liver and they’re hoping that the antibiotics will get rid of that,” Mallory said.
All of this while she continues to work with the police to learn who did this and why.
“We just need to get it out there so that people can turn in any information they have to get these people who are shooting our kids off the streets,” she said.
Last week, gunfire broke out again. This time, near 37th and La Salle streets, where three teens were shot, one of whom didn’t make it.
“Right now I’m glad my son’s alive. My heart goes out to the families of the victims of the other shooting. I know exactly what they’re going through,” Mallory expressed.
Phoenix police confirm both investigations remain active and ongoing, with detectives following up on leads. But Mallory said that brings little comfort, because although her son may be alive, he still hasn’t come back from that night.
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