A Phoenix man survives a shooting while a member of his family dies saving him. He calls it an “act of love”

PHOENIX – The young man who was shot in the face while repairing a fence in September returns home for the first time since the Phoenix shooting.

The suspect, who was arrested weeks later, shot and killed Jamal Avery and a member of his extended family, who died at the scene.

Despite being shot twice, Jamal is in good spirits. Not only is he home, but this was the first day he was able to see his son since the shooting.

Jamal, 19, is getting used to the new normal. He is recovering at home with his family after spending almost two months in hospital due to a near-death experience.

“I remember walking up to the fence, but after being shot I don’t remember anything,” Jamal recalled in an October 29 interview.

He and his cousin’s fiancé, Alan Whitworth, 48, had just finished repairing a fence nearby 39th Street and Thomas Road on September 1, when a man with a gun approached them.

“He protected me,” Jamal said. Alan sacrificed his life to save Jamal.

Both men were shot multiple times.

“Alan, man who jumped in front of the gun, I pray that his act of love will be enough for him to go to heaven,” Jamal said.

Over two weeks later Phoenix police arrested 31-year-old Marquea Cato on September 19, who was charged with first- and second-degree murder.

“I’m relieved that, you know, justice was served,” said Jamal’s wife, Letecia Avery.

Tuesday marks a turning point in his journey to healing. He is at home with his wife and 2-year-old son.

Letecia certified shooting. Her husband was shot once in the cheek and once in the arm, but she had been by his side in the hospital during every surgery for the past two months.

“Bone fragments entered his brain and his bones were broken…” Letecia said.

She is now his caregiver until he fully recovers.

“They think it will take maybe at least another six months because they are starting to put his skull back on, which could cause a few setbacks. But they expect him to recover quickly after the skull implant,” she said.

The young couple celebrates Jamal’s recovery just before the birth of their daughter in January.

“For life,” the couple said.

AND A GoFundMe has been set up for Jamal and his family to support them during their recovery.