DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — Two teens who were caught in the crossfire of a shooting outside a Sweet 16 party in Douglasville were reunited Wednesday night.
“Hey Jeremiah,” were the words said by 16-year-old Zabryon Anderson during a hug with 19-year-old Jeremiah Johnson.
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The boys were at a party on Talkeetna Road on March 4 when someone opened fire, injuring both of them.
Police said 14-year-old Ajanaye Hill and 15-year-old Samuel Moon, who were innocent bystanders, were killed and five other teens suffered injuries.
“I saw the four people walk up with the guns and I was telling them ‘let’s go, let’s go’,” said Anderson. “When they started shooting that’s when we started running for the house.”
Johnson was shot in the chest but says he didn’t even realize it at first.
“We tried to run, and then I collapsed because at first, I didn’t realize I was shot because it didn’t feel like anything,” said Johnson.
His siblings yelled for help and Anderson who knew them from school and had no medical training but watched enough TV jumped into action.
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“I need to apply pressure so he won’t bleed out or help him survive until the paramedics arrived,” said Anderson.
Johnson was rushed to Grady Hospital where after hours of waiting, his mom got the news.
“Even though the bullet hit his chest it punctured his lungs and broke his ribs and his shoulder bone,” said Carlene Thomas. “He told me whoever put the compression on your son’s chest saved his life.”
The bullet missed Jeremiah’s heart by less than an inch.
After a night that ended with two teens losing their life, Jeremiah and his family gave a heartfelt thank you.
“My whole entire family is so grateful for Zaybron,” said Thomas.
“I was just grateful honestly,” said Johnson.
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