Teen Shot While Working at Five Guys Faces Grim Prognosis
Jonathan Vasquez Jr., 19, was paralyzed after being struck by a stray bullet and is not expected to walk again.
Jonathan “JJ” Vasquez Jr., 19, has been given a grim prognosis nearly a month after he was shot in the spine by a stray bullet while on break at a Five Guys restaurant in Oxnard, California.
Doctors have informed Vasquez's family that he is not expected to walk again. "To me, God has a plan for him. That is what we are holding to; that’s what he is holding onto every day," his mother, Brenda Cervantes, told NBC Los Angeles. "He says, ‘Mom, I have a purpose.’ Repeats it every day. Says, ‘I’m strong. I’m worthy.'"
Vasquez was on his break on August 28 when an altercation between a 16-year-old suspect and two other individuals outside the restaurant led to the shooting. A bullet penetrated the glass door of the restaurant and struck Vasquez in the spine.
A GoFundMe page established for Vasquez's recovery states that the shooting caused extensive damage to his spine and nerves, resulting in complete quadriplegia. He is now unable to move his arms or legs.
Cervantes described her son as someone who maintains a positive outlook, even in the face of his injuries. "He is always telling me, ‘Don’t hold grudges.’ Even through this whole mess of things, he says, ‘Leave it to God.’ Anyone that meets him, he wins their hearts over,” she said.
Vasquez had recently graduated from Oxnard High School, where he was the captain of the football team. He had also begun attending Ventura College and joined the track team, while saving money to purchase a truck and aspiring to a career in finance.
The fundraising campaign has raised over $84,750 towards its $90,000 goal.
A 16-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting, though his identity has not been released.
