Online fundraiser benefits mother and son injured in shooting

As two teenagers await trial for their alleged roles in a shooting in Greene County last month, a GoFundMe page is raising money for the woman and her 2-year-old son who suffered gunshot wounds.

The fundraiser is organized by Mahala Yoak of Warren, Ohio, mother of Alexis Yoak, 25, and grandmother of Rashawn Currey, 2.

Alexis and Rashawn were shot to death on July 13 in a Mountainview Gardens apartment in Franklin Township. The accused are Darius Elijah Wolfe, 18, of Claysville, and Jeremy Scott Currey, 19, of Washington. Currey is Rashawn's uncle, according to Mahala Yoak.

The toddler was shot in the right thigh, while his mother, who was covering her child with her body to protect him, was shot in the face and lost sight in her left eye. Both were treated for their injuries at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia, and have since been released.

At a preliminary hearing last week, witnesses said the shooting followed an argument between Alexis Yoak and Jeremy Curry. Wolfe was arraigned on several charges, including five counts of attempted murder. The attempted murder charge against Currey was dropped, but he will face charges of conspiracy to commit attempted murder and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.

Mahala was at home in Ohio when the shooting occurred. Since July 14 was her birthday, she thought there was an innocuous reason she couldn't reach her family.

“In my mind, my sister is trying to smuggle her to Ohio for my birthday,” Mahala said in an interview Monday.

Finally, Mahala called her son, who tearfully told her what had happened. She spent the next hour and a half not knowing whether her daughter and grandson were still alive.

“I'm here with her now. I've been here with her since she came home from the hospital,” Mahala said.

According to Mahala, her daughter protected Rashawn by laying on top of him, and a bullet hit her eye.

“In fact, my daughter took the bullet for the baby… She should know that what she did is something incredible,” Mahala said.

When Rashawn was able to see his mother again after a few days, he ran to her, according to Mahala.

“On his leg. That he was shot right through,” Mahala said. “That's unbelievable to me. I've seen grown men in wheelchairs get shot. I'm telling you, he didn't miss a single punch. No stitches or anything.”

Alexis, who is expecting another child, needs to have her eye removed but will have to wait until November after her baby is born to have the surgery. Her mother hopes the GoFundMe page can help with the medical bills.

“Basically, I'm just trying to help her financially… She needs to get her artificial eye. I hope she can raise enough money for that too,” Mahala said.

As of Monday afternoon, GoFundMe had raised $923 of the $3,000 goal. The money will also go toward new furniture. Mahala said Rashawn's bed was hit by bullets on July 13.

“She needs new furniture and a new bed for the baby,” Mahala said.

Both Wolfe and Jeremy Currey are scheduled to appear for formal arraignment at the Greene County Courthouse on September 23 at 1 p.m.

To donate to the GoFundMe account, visit gofundme.com/f/support-alexis-and-her-son-after-tragic-shooting.