SAVANNAH, Ga. — A Georgia man accused of shooting a 15-year-old campaigning for Sen. Raphael Warnock has written an apology letter, court documents revealed.
The shooting happened Dec. 1 at a home on Hartridge Street in Savannah, Georgia.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Jimmy Paiz, 42, allegedly shot the teen through the closed front door and hit him in the leg. Officers say the teen was campaigning for Warnock during the 2022 senate race.
Recent court filings revealed that Paiz reportedly wrote to the teen apologizing for his role in the shooting.
TRENDING STORIES:
- UGA National Championship parade: What to know about the victory celebration in Athens
- 6-year-old riding go kart in Georgia neighborhood run over by school bus
- Robbers cuts hole through roof of metro Kay Jewelers store during heist, police say
The letter starts off with Paiz wishing he could apologize personally to the teen, one day, eye to eye. He also conveyed how deeply apologetic he was to the pain he caused the teen to suffer, according to the letter.
“I am so very sorry, young man. I am sincerely ashamed to have hurt you, and all the more, for having done so while you were out righteously serving our community, and in a time of great struggle,” Paiz wrote.
“Please know that none of the this tragedy come from a place of malice. None,” Paiz continued.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
In the letter, Paiz says he took the event as an intrusion, without hate or rage and from the position of feeling threatened. And while he said, he would have taken things back in an instant, he apologize to the teen, his family and community of the suffering he caused.
He ended the letter by stating, “nothing about you caused this tragedy to happen. Had the events unfolded differently, you would have certainly been greeted at the door by a friend and ally, which is my lifelong shame to endure.”
The teen who has not identified, was taken to Memorial Medical Center for medical treatment.
Warnock responded to the shooting the day after stating, “I am saddened to learn about this incident. I am praying for the victim and their family and wish them a full recovery,”
Paiz faces charges of aggravated assault and aggravated battery. A judge ordered Paiz to undergo mental health treatment. Paiz has a preliminary hearing set for Jan. 19.
IN OTHER NEWS:
©2022 Cox Media Group
