7-year-old shot in West Pullman thrilled to enjoy Halloween as a Ninja Turtle
Zayden Garrett may have dressed as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle for Halloween, but his speed in recovering from gunshot wounds more resembles Wolverine.Doctors and family members didn’t expect Zayden to be released from Comer Children’s Hospital by Halloween, let alone be able to go trick-or-treating after he was struck by gunfire at his West Pullman home in a shooting that also wounded his uncle a little over three weeks ago.But the 7-year-old was running, jumping and strutting — as a ninja turtle would — Thursday evening with relatives on southwest suburban blocks filled with dozens of pint-sized princesses, Elmos, witches and Cookie Monsters.One girl asked Zayden, “How much candy do you have?”“A wholeee bunch,” he responded as he held up his green candy bag and patted the bottom. Zayden Garrett laughs at his cousin while trick or treating in Bedford Park, Thursday, October 31, 2024. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times Zayden and his 27-year-old uncle were both critically wounded in the shooting at his home just after 9 p.m. Oct. 7 in the 11600 block of South Yale Avenue, relatives and Chicago police said.Gunmen outside in two cars fired into the home, with bullets ripping through several rooms and into the bodies of the boy and his uncle, who was outside.Moments after Zayden had been dancing in excitement over pizza night with his family, the boy was shot in his back and grazed in his head. Zayden Garrett walks down the sidewalk carrying his back full of candy while trick or treating in Bedford Park, Thursday, October 31, 2024. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times No one was in custody as of Thursday morning, police said. In the days after the attack, doctors at Comer removed half of Zayden’s right lung and the top part of his left lung and removed part of the bullet from his chest.Rosie Liggins, Zayden’s grandmother, said doctors had expected Zayden to be in the hospital for about four weeks.“But God said otherwise,” Liggins said the night her grandson was released a little over a week after the shooting.Zayden showed no signs of his wounds Thursday as he collected candy with his twin brother and cousins. And thankfully all the scares he enountered on this night were the type he and the other kids could chuckle over.At one house, the 7-year-old and his relatives were startled by someone dressed as Ghostface from the "Scream" movies pretending to be a statue. At another home, a Halloween decoration went off as Zayden reached for candy, making the boy jump. Zayden Garrett walks through a curtain of bones while trick or treating in Bedford Park, Thursday, October 31, 2024. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times "You really think you're gonna go home, sit in the bed, watch [TV] and eat all that candy?" Liggins asked Zayden as he giggled in excitement. Though she’s happy Zayden is back with his family, Liggins told the Sun-Times earlier this month she’s uncomfortable having him at home or with relatives and is keeping him elsewhere as she looks for an alternative.She created a GoFundMe page to help with relocation costs while she takes care of Zayden.The southwest suburban area was chosen for trick-or-treating because it's close to where Liggins works — and she knows the neighborhood is safe. Zayden Garrett holds his bag after getting a piece of candy while trick or treating in Bedford Park, Thursday, October 31, 2024.Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Zayden Garrett may have dressed as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle for Halloween, but his speed in recovering from gunshot wounds more resembles Wolverine.
Doctors and family members didn’t expect Zayden to be released from Comer Children’s Hospital by Halloween, let alone be able to go trick-or-treating after he was struck by gunfire at his West Pullman home in a shooting that also wounded his uncle a little over three weeks ago.
But the 7-year-old was running, jumping and strutting — as a ninja turtle would — Thursday evening with relatives on southwest suburban blocks filled with dozens of pint-sized princesses, Elmos, witches and Cookie Monsters.
One girl asked Zayden, “How much candy do you have?”
“A wholeee bunch,” he responded as he held up his green candy bag and patted the bottom.
Zayden and his 27-year-old uncle were both critically wounded in the shooting at his home just after 9 p.m. Oct. 7 in the 11600 block of South Yale Avenue, relatives and Chicago police said.
Gunmen outside in two cars fired into the home, with bullets ripping through several rooms and into the bodies of the boy and his uncle, who was outside.
Moments after Zayden had been dancing in excitement over pizza night with his family, the boy was shot in his back and grazed in his head.
No one was in custody as of Thursday morning, police said.
In the days after the attack, doctors at Comer removed half of Zayden’s right lung and the top part of his left lung and removed part of the bullet from his chest.
Rosie Liggins, Zayden’s grandmother, said doctors had expected Zayden to be in the hospital for about four weeks.
“But God said otherwise,” Liggins said the night her grandson was released a little over a week after the shooting.
Zayden showed no signs of his wounds Thursday as he collected candy with his twin brother and cousins.
And thankfully all the scares he enountered on this night were the type he and the other kids could chuckle over.
At one house, the 7-year-old and his relatives were startled by someone dressed as Ghostface from the "Scream" movies pretending to be a statue. At another home, a Halloween decoration went off as Zayden reached for candy, making the boy jump.
"You really think you're gonna go home, sit in the bed, watch [TV] and eat all that candy?" Liggins asked Zayden as he giggled in excitement.
Though she’s happy Zayden is back with his family, Liggins told the Sun-Times earlier this month she’s uncomfortable having him at home or with relatives and is keeping him elsewhere as she looks for an alternative.
She created a GoFundMe page to help with relocation costs while she takes care of Zayden.
The southwest suburban area was chosen for trick-or-treating because it's close to where Liggins works — and she knows the neighborhood is safe.
"You don't have to [worry] about some people throwing eggs and shooting paintballs and different things like that," Liggins said. "We don't have to worry about that here, it's a very nice neighborhood."
As her 7-year-old Ninja Turtle bolted from house to house in search of his next treat, Liggins reflected on how far Zayden has come.
"I actually thought he wouldn’t have made it to this day," Liggins said. "Just seeing him, being out here, being able to trick-or-treat and it's a nice day, all of that [makes me] very happy."
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