Community gives shot NH boy gifts, hope

New Haven, Connecticut - The New Haven community is rallying together after an 11-year-old boy was shot in broad daylight while leaving a neighborhood market.

Concerned neighbors met in front of the child's home to speak out against street violence and reach out to Joseph Crudup by giving him a few gifts. One gift was hope.

Joseph Crudup was shot in the arm Tuesday evening near the corner of Dixwell Avenue and Division Street. Police don't believe the child was the intended target. But the bullet's impact has left wounds to his arm and to the family's sense of security.

“I'm sick of it. Kids have been getting shot left and right in this area,” said Leigha Couthram, Joseph’s mother. “You know what I mean? I'm just outraged! I'm sick of it!”

But in the wake of despair, hope springs eternal. A child with a bullet wound had one wish. If it was strangers that wounded this child - it would also be strangers that would make a wish come true.

Then they talked to him about what he wanted to do,” said Shirley Ellis-West with the New Haven Family Alliance. “And he said, ‘I want to play football, but you know what? My mom can't afford it. But I want to play football.’”

The New Haven Family Alliance and the Pop-Warner Football team -- The New Haven Steelers -- decided inner city New Haven needed a bit of good news.

“Came over to the house, offered a scholarship, you know, for the kid, “$150 dollars to play,” New Haven Steeler Reggie Lytle told News 8. “And we offered a free scholarship for him to play. He was depressed, wanted to lift his spirits.”

11-year-old Joseph Crudup is smiling again and says he feeling, “Good!”

This was truly an opportunity to not only show some goodness from the community, from folks who did not have to do anything,” Shirley Ellis-West continued. “To just show that we are a community, that the least we can do is come to the aid of young people, especially as young as Joseph, when things of this nature happen in the community.”

No arrests have been made.

His mother says the emotional wounds Joseph is suffering will take longer to heal than his arm.

“He doesn't even want to come outside. He's traumatized,” Leigha Couthran said. “I'm gonna keep him inside…”

But Saturday provided a good healing start for Joseph.

Reggie Lytle stated, “We're trying to lift the kid and show that there are people who care in the city.”

Joseph's bike was also stolen, so he received a new bike Saturday. He was also given a pair of football cleats and some gift certificates so he can get ready for the upcoming football season.