Photographer shot nine times by three teens who asked him for a photo
Oct 8, 2019
Dunja Đuđić Kalinin
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
Share:
Three teenagers were arrested in Phoenix after allegedly shooting a photographer in Encanto Park. According to the Phoenix Police Department, the photographer was taking photos in the park when the boys asked him to take their picture. After photographing them, they shot him nine times, and it was the photos he’d taken that helped the police identify the suspects.
The 33-year-old photographer chose to stay anonymous, and he’s referred to as “CT.” On 12 September around 9 pm, he was taking photos with his camera on a tripod in Encanto Park. Three teenagers approached him and asked him to take their photo. He initially said that he charges $20 for photos, but then he agreed to take pictures of them for free.
After having their photos taken, the boys spoke to CT using a racial slur. He kindly said “My man, you can’t say the N-word. You’re not black.” However, the teens continued, and shortly after this, two of them took out their guns and shot the photographer nine times.
Since CT was live streaming his evening on Facebook Live, he captured the entire incident on camera. You can see it in the video below, but keep in mind that you may find it disturbing and difficult to watch. I know I have.
Although this was certainly a terrible incident, there were some fortunate events in it after all: the teens left CT’s phone and camera behind. So, after getting shot, CT somehow managed to call 911 and they took him to the hospital. Even though he suffered critical injuries, his condition is stable now and he’s expected to make a full recovery.
Since the teenagers didn’t take the camera or destroy the memory card, the police were able to identify them from their photos CT had previously taken. According to the police reports, two of the shooters are 18, and one is 17 years old. They were arrested in connection with the shooting, and two of them still had the handguns at the time of the arrest.
Speaking to ABC15, CT said “I’m here because of the blessing of God. I’m here because I have a purpose on earth.” He said that he would just ask the suspects – why? “I was nothing but nice to them,” he added.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help CT cover his medical costs, so you can donate if you’d like to help.
Dunja Đuđić Kalinin
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
Related Posts
Photographer under fire for using a nude photo in a book after the model asked him not to [NSFW]
Teens sentenced to three years in juvenile detention for killing photographer Victoria Schafer
Photographer who was shot without warning files a lawsuit against the cop who shot him
Photographer got stopped at the airport three times because he had a Pelican case
Join the Discussion
DIYP Comment Policy
Be nice, be on-topic, no personal information or flames.
41 responses to “Photographer shot nine times by three teens who asked him for a photo”
How the hell did he survive?
That’s one lucky bloke!!
This is not terrible this is just US..
Matej Bajzik https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.rferl.org/amp/29875497.html
Yes but that was assassination, not just because some idiot took the gun which can be obtained in supermarket or nearly a toy shop like in US..
I am not telling its not a tragedy, its just more obvious when someone is shot in country where guns are nearly laying on the groud
Matej Bajzik can’t buy them in supermarkets nor toy stores. And depends on the neighborhood that they are “nearly laying on the ground” . But that would be quite useful to buy a new Walther while picking up some milk and coffee on the way home from work.
Garrett Jimenez are you serious? I mean – really?
Yeah. Who wouldn’t want a new Walther PPK?
Matej Bajzik Guns are not lying on the ground in America. Stop reading idiot Slovak press, or whatever the hell you read.
Julio de Cassovia Yes, everyone should have a gun and trained in it’s use, except known criminals and gangbangers.
Thou shalt not shoot thy photographer! That is the whole of the law. Don’t do it.
Only in the US ..
Angelina Wiese Devine https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.businessinsider.com/denmark-shooting-leaves-1-dead-4-wounded-gangs-suspected-2019-4
OK, not only in the US. Just mostly
Joel Cook > I am not saying we don’t have shootings, we have had a massive increase in shooting later years, brining it as high as 50-60 shootings pr. year. (nearly all gang-related). One dead this year.
So, someone going to a park to take a few pictures, getting shot by teens, are an “only in the us” thing.
Murder rate by country.
Angelina Wiese Devine what you said is very hypocritical. Random violence here is somehow different than random violence there? Don’t be ignorant. Must be a Denmark thing I guess.
What sort of world do we live in today? ?
That one handed grip is terrible ?
That’s not the story tho they were gang affiliates and stupid gang affiliates at best, it was wrong place wrong time. For both of them.
Build the wall.
And people wonder why I carry a conceal weapon when shooting my camera. Looking at the these 3 assholes names tells me what I need to know. I will offer to take their mugshots.
They pulled their guns out first. How are you going to outdraw them? Do you think your Clint Eastwood in the movies?
You really like that idiot comparison, don’t you?
And this is why I carry
This was a situation where it would not help. It was a surprise attack.
Exactly.
Not really: given the fact that the victim survived, there’s a strong likelihood that returning fire would have interrupted the attack. And since you and I weren’t there, we don’t know exactly how and when the attack started or when the gun was produced. Attempting to armchair quarterback is not a mature argument.
Stupid. They pulled their guns out first. How are you going to outdraw them? Do you think your Clint Eastwood in the movies?
Because it’s not a quick draw competition, despite your attempt at characterizing the situation. The photographer survived nine bullet wounds, so it’s entirely possible that he would have had time and opportunity to return fire and perhaps prevent at least a few of those.
The point to concealed carry is to give you options, not to guarantee a win or prevent any harm.
Maybe step back from your presumptions and lack of knowledge.
“and it was the photos he’d taken that helped the police identify the suspects”
Big Brained moves for everyone
I read stories like this, everyday and it saddens me! There are so many desensitized and uncaring callous youth, it seems!!
Racist. Lol
I am concerned that articles like this will generate copycat shootings, and that it teaches the gang bangers to take the camera when they leave.
Teens aren’t allowed to have guns, by law.
Thanks god for dumb criminals who can’t shoot straight!
America.
This was a gang initiations, and luckily the young gangbangers were dumber than rocks and could not hit an elephant from 5 feet. Hallelujah! All gangbangers should get automatic life without parole and death-row for killing anyone.
I beg to differ…these young gangbangers were fine shots. They hit their target “9” times!
Michael Dexter yes, and he was still able to call 911
People are horrible.
Doh! Let’s go shoot someone who has us on video and our photos in his camera! Yeah!
Ignorance is rampant!