A 15-year-old Jessup boy shot Monday by police told his attorney he heard two gunshots fired ? an allegation that sharply contradicts an undercover officer?s claim that police accidentally fired one bullet that grazed the youth?s arm and struck another teen in the abdomen.
Garcia Wilson, 15, of Jessup had his arm re-bandaged Thursday and his family retained an attorney. The other youth, Dwayne Usery, 14, also of Jessup, is still recovering at Johns Hopkins Children Center in Baltimore City. The youths have not been placed under arrest. Police did say they found illegal drugs at the scene in the 8300 block of Pleasant Chase Road in Jessup.
Wilson?s attorney Charles Ware called the police version of events “controversial.”
“It was the first shot that got his attention, and he?s pretty sure that the second shot hit him,” Ware said. “The kid?s not excitable, and he?s sure about what he heard.”
Police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn said two officers were getting out of an unmarked police vehicle to question the teens when one officer?s weapon accidentally discharged, striking both teens.
Ware notified the county solicitor Thursday that he plans to file a lawsuit against Howard County as well as its relevant departments and employees for the shooting.
“We do feel we have a claim on behalf of this young man against the county and various individuals in the department,” Ware said.
“My client was not doing anything wrong or illegal that he should have been shot for. Clearly something went wrong out there, and I think we deserve answers.”
Robert Wilson, the boy?s father, told The Examiner his son was not carrying any drugs or weapons, and police only found a cell phone on him.
Llewellyn declined comment on the youth?s claim two shots were fired.
Wilson was treated and released Monday night from Howard County General Hospital. Robert Wilson said his son returned Tuesday to Hammond High School in Columbia.
Usery, also a freshmen at Hammond, was in fair condition Tuesday in the Johns Hopkins pediatric surgical unit. His father and close friend Autumn Schrecengos, 14, sat by his side as he slept.
“I?m not worried about what the police are doing or what the school is doing,” said Usery?s father, who declined to give his name.
“All I care about right now is him.”
Usery?s father said he also has an attorney.
Police refused to release the name of the officer involved in the shooting because he was working undercover. Llewellyn said the officer is a seven-year veteran who has served four years with the Howard department.
Internal Affairs is investigating the officer?s actions, Llewellyn said.
