'I Knew God Wouldn't Let Me Go': Brooklyn 13-Year-Old Shot Twice in Head Credits God for Miracle Recovery

'In the Past, God Has Done A Lot of Miracles for Me,' Says Gama Droiville

By Daniel Distant, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, April 23, 2014

NYPD Patrol Borough Brooklyn South Assistant Chief Owen J. Monaghan (left), 70th Precinct Commander Deputy Inspector Richard G. DiBlasio present a medal to shooting victim Gama Droiville, 13, at Kings County Hospital Center. | Courtesy of Droiville family

Gama Droiville, a 13-year-old boy from Brooklyn, New York, is thanking God for his miracle recovery after being shot in the head twice last week. The teen was standing with his family at a Flatbush bus stop when two stray bullets from a gunman pierced his head and right eye.

Droiville was at the bus stop with his aunt and cousin on April 14 when suspect Kareem Potomont, 21, began firing at another man, 24-year-old Eduardo Dolphy. Many of the Brooklyn residents on the busy street began scattering, but the church-going teenager was hit twice. His family brought him into a nearby pizzeria to escape the hail of gunfire, but Gama told them to relax because God is on his side.

"I went into a store and sat down and I told everyone to relax because God is with me," the boy told Channel 7 Eyewitness News. "I just go to church and pray. Because in the past, God has done a lot of miracles for me and I knew that this time He wouldn't me go."

Droiville was taken to Kings County Hospital, where doctors had to perform emergency surgery on him. Though he hadn't been released at the time, he told reporters he had been motivating himself by relying on his faith.

"I told myself that the devil wants to kill me," the teen said Monday. "But God won't let that happen."

On his release Tuesday afternoon, doctors said Gama can see from his left eye, but they are unsure whether vision in his right eye will return.

"He has some inflammation and is in a healing phase. We can't give an exact prognosis, (it's) a little too early to tell." said Dr. Douglas Lazzaro chief of opthamology at Kings County, adding that Gama's demeanor was an "inspiration for the staff here."

Gama Droiville, 13, was shot April 14, 2014 in his head and right eye in Brooklyn. A little over a week later he was released from the hospital and credits God for his recovery. | Courtesy of the Droiville family

Potomont, the alleged shooter, escaped the scene after shooting Dolphy in the leg but was arrested Friday later in Jamaica, Queens thanks to tips from the public. He was charged with attempted murder, assault, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment, police told The New York Daily News. Potomont is being held in lieu of $200,000 bail.

Droiville thanked the NYPD for catching Potomont, but said he forgives him.

"In the Bible, God says to forgive people," he explained. "Revenge is not a good thing."

Droiville plans to speak out against gun violence, continue singing in the church choir, and get his education. He plans one day to become an immigration attorney.