Recently returned home after a harrowing ordeal, Jamal Avery, a 19-year-old father, is recounting his arduous journey toward recovery following a shooting incident while he was on the job. According to AZFamily, on September 1, Avery was performing a construction task alongside his boss, Alan Whitworth, when they were approached by an armed individual. Whitworth, engaged to Avery's cousin, tragically lost his life in the incident, stepping in front of Avery to shield him from the assailant's gunfire.
While Avery is grateful to be back with his loved ones, he is still bearing the weight of the physical and psychological aftermath of the shooting. "I was shot down my shoulder. I was shot through my cheek, and the bullet came out right about here," Avery told AZFamily interview, indicating near his temple. FOX10 Phoenix recounts that Avery and Whitworth had just finished repairing a fence when they were accosted. The suspected assailant, 31-year-old Marquea Cato, was later arrested on September 19, facing first and second-degree murder charges.
Letecia, Avery's wife, has taken on the caregiver role, and their life together has shifted to accommodate the demanding recovery process. Undergoing multiple surgeries and facing a long rehabilitation ahead, the couple's resilience is palpable. Amidst the challenges, Avery's survival is seen as a beacon of hope for their growing family, with the anticipated arrival of a baby girl in January, adding a glimmer of joy to their lives. "For lifers," the couple said in a shared sentiment of enduring partnership, as documented by FOX10 Phoenix.
The Averys are facing financial difficulties after losing their apartment and risking their car because Jamal can't work. They are currently staying with Letecia's family. To help them with medical expenses for physical and speech therapy, a GoFundMe page has been set up. You can find the link in reports from AZFamily and FOX10 Phoenix.
