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Posted: Tuesday, 09 June 2009 11:36AM
5-year-old gunshot victim triumphant at graduation
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CHICAGO, Ill. (CBS) -- An innocent little South Side boy who was wounded by gunfire last year wasn't sure he'd ever walk again, but today, he's being called an inspiration.
As CBS 2's Susan Carlson reports, this is the day that Martrell Stevens, 5, has been waiting for. He graduated from kindergarten inside the gymnasium at Jane M. Neil Elementary School, 8555 S. Michigan Ave.
But for a boy who has been confined to a wheelchair for the past year, it was also a huge day of triumph.
Martrell arrived at school in style, in a limousine donated by the organization Stop Killing Our Youth, in honor of the milestone.
Not only did Martrell receive his diploma, he also walked across the stage to get it.
It was a feat that took months of preparation.
"Walking, and stretching my legs out," Martrell said.
It was May 23, 2008, when Martrell was hit by gunfire in the back of his mother's car, in the 6400 block of South Bishop Street.
"He just started shooting; shot my brother-in-law three times, and I screamed, and that's what made him turn to my truck, and he shot directly through my car, and shot my son," said Martrell's mother, LaKeesha Rucker.
No one was ever arrested or charged in the shooting.
But to the surprise of his doctors, nothing can keep Martrell down – not even a bullet to the spine.
"He's a very determined young man, and again, we don't focus on disabilities here at Neil," said school principal Helen Wells. "We focus on the abilities."
As to abilities, Martrell has learned more in kindergarten than some people learn in a lifetime.
"I wish they would put away all the guns," Martrell said.
When asked what was going through her mind, Rucker said, "that my son is here today, and he's able to join his class and receive his diploma as an average 5-year-old, and I just thank God that he's here."
As of 11:10 a.m., the graduation ceremony was just wrapping up. Look for video of Martrell's triumphant walk across the stage on the CBS 2 News at 5PM.
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