An East Bay man is currently in a severe struggle for recovery after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds during the recent Juneteenth celebration near Lake Merritt. Mason Ma, the victim, recounted the terrifying event to KTVU, describing how a festive evening abruptly descended into violence. Ma, who was shot thrice, expressed he is reeling from the incident's trauma and lamented the inaction he has experienced from the authorities. "Disheartened, disappointed with both Oakland police and the city for not keeping it safe," Ma said, a week after the shooting, not even considered a victim, as no officers have come to inquire about his ordeal.
On the night of the fateful event, Ma was heading out to dinner with a friend when the sound of gunfire, initially mistaken for fireworks, marked the beginning of a nightmare. Struck in the hand by a bullet, Ma lost a finger, later amputated due to the injury. As per FOX 5 Atlanta, Ma then attempted to flee the chaos, crawling under a vehicle, only to be hit by two additional bullets in his thighs. Amidst this turmoil, he observed what appeared to be an exchange of gunfire between two groups, unsure if the shots that injured him were from a single assailant or multiple participants.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Ma faced the possibility of losing his right leg due to severe bleeding. Dedicated medical staff, however, worked against the clock to save his limb. "I grabbed the trauma doctor and didn't let her go. She really helped me. She advocated for me," Ma recounted. Firm in his resolve, Ma is determined to walk again despite the bullets still lodged in his legs and the surgeries that lie ahead.
Compounding the physical pain, Ma grapples with the financial pressures of the medical care required. Without medical insurance, the costs of multiple surgeries and rehabilitation are daunting. A fundraiser has been organized by his family to alleviate the burden, as Ma is fixated on reclaiming the ability to walk. Anyone interested in supporting Ma's journey to recovery can reach out to the family's fundraising efforts.
