Kansas City boy paralyzed in April shooting released from hospital
A 10-year-old boy who was gravely injured in a Kansas City shooting that killed his father earlier this year was released from a hospital Monday.
The April 18 shooting left Ka’Vyea Tyson-Curry paralyzed from the waist down. His father, 34-year-old Ka’Vyea Curry II, died in the shooting outside a gas station at 45th Street and Cleveland Avenue.
Jackson County prosecutors charged Dontae D. Jefferson, 27, with first-degree murder and five other felonies.
According to court documents, Jefferson walked up to Curry as he was getting into his car and fired eight shots from a .40-caliber handgun. One bullet struck the boy in his spine, authorities said.
A 5-year-old also in the car was not injured.
Ka’Vyea was released from Children’s Mercy Hospital on Monday, a hospital spokesman said.
“He’s glad to be out of there,” said his grandfather, Forest Tyson.
He is facing lengthy physical therapy, but his family remains optimistic about his long-term prognosis. Doctors have given them different odds on his chances to regain some mobility.
“We’ll just have to let time tell,” Forest Tyson said. “He starts therapy tomorrow. It’s going to be his full-time job this summer.”
To reach Tony Rizzo, call 816-234-4435 or send email to trizzo@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published June 30, 2014 at 6:01 PM.