Family of 15-year-old Timberview High School shooting victim ask for prayers

ARLINGTON, Texas – The family of the 15-year-old boy who was seriously injured in the shooting at Timberview High School ask for prayers as he struggles to recover.

Zacchaeus Selby’s mother, Iysha Selby, spoke to reporters on Friday as he underwent another surgery.

She said he went in and out of a medicated coma. But during the times when he’s more alert, he was able to shake her hand.

“He’s got tubes down his throat and nose. He’s just lying there,” the 15-year-old’s mother said while trying to hold back her emotions.

Selby was one of four people injured in Wednesday’s school shooting at Timberview High School in Arlington.

RELATED: Timberview High School shooting injures four; suspect arrested

Police said he and Timothy Simpkins, 18, had a physical fight in a classroom. Others tried to interrupt the fight, then Simpkins pulled a handgun from his backpack and shot Selby several times.

A 25-year-old teacher, identified by the students as Cédric Petit, was also shot dead and a teenage girl was shot and grazed. A pregnant teacher fell and was injured, but it’s okay.

“He said, ‘Mum, mum, I got a bullet’ and I said ‘What?’ He said, “I got a bullet,” oh my God. And he held the phone and I saw the hole in his chest and the blood was running, running, running from his chest. It was all over it. her clothes, her mouth, her ears, the concrete, ”Iysha recalls.

This is how she learned that her son had been shot on Wednesday morning. She then rushed to school.

“I was knocking on the door, ‘Let me in, my baby is in there!’ But they didn’t let anyone in, ”she said. “And he got out on the stretcher and I ran to the stretcher and I grabbed his hand and he looked up and he said I love you and I said I love you too.”

She then watched the ambulance run with her son to Medical City Arlington, where he underwent a second four-hour surgery on Friday.

Simpkins was arrested after a manhunt lasting several hours and charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He posted bail a day later and was released from prison.

RELATED: Timberview High School Shoots Suspicious Bonds Out of Jail

His family claim he was being bullied and was trying to protect himself.

RELATED: Family of Timberview High School shooting suspect say he was bullied

Police have advised Selby’s family not to talk about what sparked the brawl due to the ongoing investigation. But they said they wanted people to know he wasn’t the freak people claim to be on social media.

“We saw the video ourselves. We were shocked to see the video because we have never seen it this way before. I have never seen him fight even with his sister or older brother. He’s a gentle, soft-spoken child, ”said Kathy Selby, his grandmother.

The family described him as a gentle, caring kid who enjoys soccer and video games, like most teens his age.

Selby’s family said her condition had improved slightly since her admission. They are optimistic about her recovery, but said it will take a long time.

“Everyone is so kind, kind and caring. We received so much love and support. They said the parlor was full of people trying to come and see him. One of the other victims, the teacher , their family came and prayed with us. The police came to talk to us and hugged us and the staff are kind. We asked the staff to pray with us. I mean, love and support is … It’s so, ”mom said.

RELATED: Teacher recalls what he did to protect students in the shooting at Timberview High School