An Orlando teen is likely paralyzed after he was accidentally shot while playing basketball on Monday, according to doctors at the Orlando Regional Medical Center.
16-year-old Mario Whitehead was playing basketball with friends at the Willie Mays Park located at 2092 Willie Mays Parkway in Orlando, when he suddenly fell on the court.
Witnesses, all juveniles, told investigators another teen, 17-year-old Takim Neal, who carries a .380 type hand gun, was handling the weapon when it accidentally went off.
Whitehead was struck in the right shoulder. He was taken to the Orlando Regional Medical Center where doctors have indicated Whitehead could be paralyzed from the stomach area down.
Whitehead’s mother told investigators she wished to press charges.
Neal was arrested and booked into a juvenile detention center. He is expected to be charged with carrying a concealed firearm, improper exhibition of a dangerous firearm, discharging a firearm in public and possession of a firearm by a minor.
