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Shot teen improving

The girl, who turns 16 this month, won't be able to return to school until she can write again.

By JON WILSON
Published January 1, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - Javonna Jackson, the 15-year-old girl accidentally shot in the face on Oct. 19, still is in rehabilitation but is "doing pretty well overall," said Trina Graham, her mother.

She turns 16 on Jan. 14, but likely won't be in school until later. She has difficulty holding a pen in her right hand, which is her writing hand.

"They won't let her back in school until she can keep up in class," Graham said.

Javonna was hit in the face by a bullet from a 9mm pistol as she talked to a friend who was holding the gun. Police called the shooting accidental. Ivery Sturgis, 18, was charged with being a delinquent felon in possession of a firearm.

The bullet hit Javonna in the nose and traveled down her throat. It knocked out a dozen teeth and sent splinters into her spine.

She was able to get out of bed and walk within a few days, but still has some difficulty getting around, Graham said.

She wobbles and sometimes falls down when she walks, Graham said, and she needs to be helped in and out of the bathtub.

"Her balance is off," said Graham, who had taken time off work to help her daughter. She is back working part time at Raytheon.

The weakness in Javonna's hand also means she can't tie her shoes and button items of clothing, although she can dress herself if no small motor skills are required.

She still is taking antianxiety medication and experiencing nightmares about the shooting, Graham said.

"It'll probably take awhile" to get rid of the bad memories, she said.

Sturgis is out of jail on bail. The case has yet to come to trial. The last action was Nov. 10 when Sturgis' motion to be declared indigent was denied.

[Last modified January 1, 2006, 00:28:15]