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Photographer shot nine times by three teens who asked him for a photo

by 41 Comments

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.

[via PetaPixel; ABC15]

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  • How the hell did he survive😮
    That’s one lucky bloke!!

  • This is not terrible this is just US..

    • 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 ..

  • 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.

    • jason bourne

      They pulled their guns out first. How are you going to outdraw them? Do you think your Clint Eastwood in the movies?

      • Scott Valentine

        You really like that idiot comparison, don’t you?

  • And this is why I carry

    • Jason Dendy

      This was a situation where it would not help. It was a surprise attack.

      • jason bourne

        Exactly.

      • Scott Valentine

        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.

    • jason bourne

      Stupid. They pulled their guns out first. How are you going to outdraw them? Do you think your Clint Eastwood in the movies?

      • Scott Valentine

        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.

  • suruha

    Doh! Let’s go shoot someone who has us on video and our photos in his camera! Yeah!
    Ignorance is rampant!

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