‘I get very angry’: Mother speaks out after 10-year-old shot by another child

VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB/Gray News) — The mother of a 10-year-old boy shot in the face by a 9-year-old in September says she has not been told of a court date in the case, and that the mother of the boy involved still lives a few houses down from her.

Marshania English’s son, Javion, was shot at Brittany Woods Apartments on Monday, Sept. 7, according to the Valdosta Police Department. Police said the boy and a 9-year-old were playing with a gun when it went off.

Javion has since returned home and is not back in school full time with his usual activities, according to English.

“For the first few days, you know, it was very emotional. It was a lot going on,” English said. “And now that we’re home and he’s just not going back to school, he had his days with his ups and downs.”

English said she now watches her son more closely.

“And now, like, I have to pay a lot more attention to him,” English said.

Mother, 9-year-old facing charges

Police said detectives obtained arrest warrants on Sept. 9 for 46-year-old Andrea McClendon, the mother of the 9-year-old and the owner of the firearm. McClendon is charged with second-degree cruelty to children and reckless conduct. Police said she turned herself in at the Lowndes County Jail on Sept. 14.

Through the Department of Juvenile Justice, detectives also charged the 9-year-old with reckless conduct and possession of a firearm by a minor.

Mother describes neighbor living nearby

English said McClendon still lives a few houses down from her.

“I think that’s my biggest thing, because she still lives down from me, a couple houses down from me,” English said. “You know, I see them every day, which I don’t allow J.B. on to come outside, only when I’m outside. But when I’m out the door, I see them, and it’s just, I get angry.”

English said she feels no justice has been served.

“I feel like my son has been shot, and no justice has been served,” English said. “Like, they’re still able to go out, grocery shop, and still live their life. But my son is here, having to tell people, oh, what happened to his teeth, or the mark on his neck. And I don’t think it’s right, to be honest. I really don’t.”

Javion back in school

English said Javion is back in school. He is not currently participating in PE activities.

Asked how he is adjusting, Javion said, “Good.”

Javion described sitting outside as peaceful.

“It’s really peaceful, because I really just sit down,” Javion said.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 10-year-old shot in the face by 9-year-old while playing with a gun in Valdosta, police say

Recounting the shooting

Javion said the other boy asked whether Javion wanted to see his mother’s gun.

“Then, when I came inside, he asked me did I want to see his mama gun,” Javion said. “Then I said, ‘Yeah, just don’t point it at me. Turn that gun. I don’t want no bullets at me.’ He did the opposite. Then pointed at me and put bullets in it. Then he cocked it back. Then he locked the door.”

Javion said he tried to get the gun away before the shooting.

“Then I ran. Then I pushed the gun down to try to take it. He pointed it at me, and I really didn’t know. I locked the door. And then I stayed in there for some minutes,” Javion said. “Then it got quiet. So I went to the door... And then I got shot.”

Mother describes being overwhelmed

When asked how important his mother is to him, Javion said, “A hundred percent. Important to me.”

English said she is overwhelmed by what her son now has to go through.

“I’m overwhelmed. I really am. I’m overwhelmed,” English said. “You know, because now he has to start therapy. And it’s just something that he has to deal with for the rest of his life.”

Mother wants distance from suspect’s family

English said she would feel more at peace with distance between the two families.

“I probably would feel more at peace is either I moved or they moved,” English said.

English said she believes the legal system failed her after McClendon was released from custody quickly.

She said she has not been told of any court date in the case.

“To be honest, I haven’t heard anything about a court date or anything like that,” English said.

GoFundMe set up for dental work

English said a GoFundMe has been set up to help pay for Javion’s dental costs.

“People can support our GoFundMe so that Javion can get his teeth fixed,” English said. “It would go towards his teeth cosmetics, which we would try to get him some veneers.”