Exclusive: 13-year-old Brooklyn shooting victim speaks out

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The teenager shot in the face with a stray bullet in Brooklyn is showing his incredible spirit while talking exclusively to Eyewitness News from his hospital bed.

Thirteen-year-old Gama Droiville was standing a Flatbush corner with two relatives last Monday, waiting for a bus, when gunshots rang out. He was struck above his right eye and has undergone several surgeries that doctors hope will save his vision.

Now, he is teaching everyone a lesson about faith and forgiveness, showing nary a shred of anger or bitterness. Instead, he has a positive attitude and is thankful to still have life. He's even willing to absolve the 21-year-old man who nearly ended his time in this world.

"I told myself that the devil wants to kill me," he said. "But God won't let that happen."

It's a level of calm and faith most adults couldn't imagine in a story that's nothing short of incredible. Gama Droiville could be going home Tuesday, and it couldn't come soon enough for him and his family. Relatives say he never misses a Sunday of church.

"I didn't know at first it was a bullet," he said. "My cousin said he heard two people arguing, and I heard gunshots, and I was confused, so I stood there. And everybody's running and falling and hurting themselves. But then that's when the bullet hit me."

Then, as he sat in a store bleeding from the head, came the moment that has the city marveling at the young man who wants to be an immigration attorney.

"I told everyone to relax and stay calm, because God is with me," he said.

Gama says he is feeling fine and is not in much pain. He can see out of his left eye, but there are still questions about the right.

"I don't think there's more operations, but I hope the Lord gives me my vision back," he said.

As for the alleged shooter, Gama says Kareem Potomont should go to jail, but he says he can forgive the man accused of nearly killing him.

"In the Bible, God says to forgive people," he said. "Revenge is not a good thing."

Potomont is charged with attempted murder, assault, weapons possession and reckless endangerment in the shooting.