The distraught mother of a 19-year-old shot in La Pointe remembers the incident

The mother of a 19-year-old who was shot Monday night is calling for an end to escalating gun violence after her son was injured in what she said was a senseless act of violence.

The incident happened at around 8pm in La Pointe, Dennery, when the teenager was sitting on a balcony with his cousin.

“I got a call and when I arrived, my son was lying dead,” said the desperate mother. She told how her daughter was in the house when shots were fired. The gunman fired from outside her fence and chaos ensued as she began screaming for help as the gunman made his way into her yard.

The bullets pierced her son, with one shot entering his leg and another going through his arm. “He was hit in the legs and arm,” she said, struggling to suppress her emotions. “He was just there, bleeding, and my daughter was crying – so much blood.”

Yard where the shooting took place

Despite the fear and panic, the mother discovered that her son had recently changed his life following warnings from the police.

“People say he kept bad company but when I spoke to him he changed. He wasn’t the same boy anymore,” she said.

The distraught mother was informed by police that despite turning his life around, her son was still the target of those who wanted him dead.

Her son was taken to hospital where doctors are currently treating his injuries.

In addition, a six-year-old girl was also shot in the incident.

The 19-year-old's mother said: “She was at home because we were looking after her because her mother was at work.”

The six-year-old was shot four times in the body, including in the face and hip.

The teen's mother told reporters: “My message is clear: There is too much gun violence,” she said. “Innocent people are being shot. You have to lay down your weapons. You may have a problem with someone, but it doesn't have to go that far. Too many lives are being ruined.”