More than a year has passed since Jesus Rega, an autistic non-verbal man, was tragically shot in the head and abdomen while waiting for the school bus in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood. Despite the time that has elapsed, the 22-year-old’s recovery continues, with progress being both significant and painstaking, as detailed in a Chicago Tribune report.
Shot by attackers yelling gang slogans, Jesus was left critically injured along with indelible scars on himself and his family. Moved by his plight, nearly $40,000 in GoFundMe donations have facilitated the Rega family's move to a safer suburb to avoid further gang-related harassment—harassment that was part of their lived reality even prior to the shooting, as Philip Rega, the father, often complained to a police force that he felt did little in response.
The shooting, which took place at 6:30 a.m. on the cold morning of January 18, also victimized Jesus's brother, Demitri, who narrowly escaped the hail of over 30 bullets. Doctors originally feared Jesus might lose his sight and taste, senses critical to a non-verbal person relying on visual aids for communication. According to the Block Club Chicago, the attack is suspected to have been a case of mistaken identity amidst a turf war between the Latin Saints and Two-Six gangs, with police continuing their search for the unidentified and uncharged gunman.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Jesus has hit significant milestones, such as regaining the ability to shower and enter a car on his own. His parents, Philip and Anna Rega, have remained his pillars, guiding him back to recovery. However, the man who shattered their son’s world remains at large, festering a deep wound in their hearts. "I want to see the person who did it get what he deserves, justice," Philip Rega expressed the relentless ache, he told the Tribune.
As the family holds onto hope and continues to adapt to their new life, the question of justice persistently looms. Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling has vowed for better communication with victims' families. Updates on the case, however, remain scarce. For Jesus, the journey of healing goes on, one day at a time.
