Nationwide — Sha’michal Russell, a 13-year-old African American boy from Shreveport, Louisiana, has sadly died after using his body to shield his 3-year-old sister from gunfire at an apartment complex. He was one of three children wounded when someone opened fire near a basketball court. His sister was not injured, but he later died at a hospital from his wounds.
The shooting happened last Monday while children were gathered at the apartment complex basketball court. Police said someone fired multiple rounds from a distance, hitting three children. According to WLBT, Sha’michal was with his younger sister when the gunfire began, and his family said he moved to protect her from the bullets. His actions kept the toddler from being struck.
Jessica Haley, Sha’michal’s aunt and a chaplain with the Shreveport Police Department, said the teenager cared deeply about his little sister. Family members described him as a playful and loving boy who enjoyed sports, helped people in his neighborhood, and often made others laugh. They said his relationship with his younger sister was especially important to him.
Sha’michal’s actions will be recognized with the Youth Heroism Award from the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as the Uvalde Foundation. The award honors young people who show courage and help others during moments of crisis. He will be the first teenager to receive the award after his death. Daniel Chapin, the foundation’s founder and president, said the organization wanted to honor the courage Sha’michal showed while protecting his sister.
The foundation has also launched an emergency fundraiser to help Sha’michal’s family cover funeral and memorial expenses. Some of the money may also go toward helping the other children who survived the shooting, a 2-year-old and a 17-year-old, along with their families. The foundation said it will first verify their needs before providing financial assistance.
Meanwhile, police have arrested two 19-year-old cousins in connection with the shooting. Javion Abbott is charged with second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. Alonzo Abbott faces one count of being a principal to second-degree murder and two counts of being a principal to attempted second-degree murder. Shreveport police said the investigation is still underway and additional arrests remain possible.