As Zacchaeus Selby struggles to recover from his gunshot wounds, his family is asking for prayers.
As reported by the Dallas Express, Fifteen-year-old Selby was shot by 18-year-old Timothy Simpkins at Timberview High School on Wednesday, Oct. 6., following a fight involving both boys. The shooting left three other people injured, including a teacher who tried to break up the fight.
While Selby was undergoing surgery on Friday, his mother, Iysha Selby, spoke to reporters. She said her son has been in and out of a drug-induced coma.
She added that whenever Selby was awake and alert from the coma, he could squeeze her hand. She also revealed that Selby has tubes in his throat and nose.
Iysha Selby told reporters that her son called her on a video call after he had been shot.
“He said, ‘Momma, momma, I have been shot,’ and I said, ‘What?’ He said, ‘I have been shot,’ oh my God,” Iysha told reporters.
She said she could see a hole in his chest from the video call and that blood was pouring out of his chest. Selby said her son’s blood was all over his clothes, mouth, ears, and even on the concrete.
Iysha said she ran to the school and was beating on the door of the room where her injured son was, but she was not allowed to enter.
“He came out on the stretcher and I ran to the stretcher and I grabbed his hand and he looked up and he said I love you and I said I love you too,” Iysha said.
She also spoke about the love and support her family has gotten from everyone, including the other victims’ families.
“One of the other victims, the teacher, their family came and prayed with us. We’ve had the police come and speak with us and give us hugs, and the staff is nice. We’ve had staff pray with us,” Iysha added.
Selby’s family said they are hopeful of his recovery as his condition has improved slightly.