It's remarkable to see just how far 14-year-old Khamani Garrett has come. He said Tuesday he is now ready to move on from the shooting.
[Ads /]
This time last week the then-13-year-old was shot in the neck in the Bronx as he walked to the train heading to school -- Manhattan Business Academy in Chelsea.
"I felt like a force in me, and my chest and my arm felt tight, and it kind of got hard to breathe," Garrett said. "I didn't know I got shot at first until I kneeled down because it was hard to breathe and then I saw the blood dripping."
He said now he is just a little sore and itchy as he heals.
Police say Hubert Wiggs, 36, was sitting in front of his home on East 223rd Street in the Bronx, pointing a .38 caliber revolver at people walking by.
RELATED | Mom speaks out after 13-year-old shot on way to school in NYC
Exclusive: Mom, sister speak out after teen shot on way to school
After being shot, Garrett actually asked Wiggs for help -- not realizing he's the one who fired the gun.
"He didn't want to help me, he threw something at me, and then when I was walking away to the other guy who called the cops, he started mumbling 'I can't deal with this, I can't deal with this,'" Garrett said.
[Ads /]
Garrett usually walks with his sister, but last Tuesday morning she was running late so he was alone.
"I was actually thankful that she wasn't there because if she was the one that got shot, I don't know what I would do," Garrett said.
The bullet entered the left side of his neck and incredibly didn't hit any major vessels.
Wiggs, who was out on parole, is charged with attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, reckless endangerment and menacing.
"I would honestly forgive him because if I still hold a grudge against him...I feel like it would leave me with guilt," Garrett said.
Garrett said, even with the brush with death, he's not afraid.
"I know God's on my side, and I know he helped protect me, so I don't have to worry about anything," Garrett said.
There is a GoFundMe for anyone who would like to help.
[Ads /]
ALSO READ | 2 men impersonating NYPD officers rob home in the Bronx: New video
Video: Suspects impersonating NYPD officers rob home in the Bronx
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* More New York City news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube
Submit a News Tip