CHICAGO — A fundraiser is set for a football player who survived being shot six times hours after a game.
Everett Henderson, a standout Chicago Vocational Career Academy running back, was shot Sept. 10. Police said Henderson, 17, was standing in front of his home in the 10900 block of South Eberhart Avenue in Roseland when a gray car drove past and someone inside fired shots.
Henderson, who was shot two times in his hand and butt and once in his chest and stomach, told DNAinfo on Wednesday night he's "walking a lot better."
"I'm taking it slow and getting back to my old self," Henderson said. "I'm very thankful I'm still alive, and I'm thankful for what everybody's doing for me.
"When I was shot, in my head, I was thinking 'I've got to keep going ... I've got to keep going,'" he said. "That's what made my motto: Never give up. I wasn't ready for my life to end."
The fundraiser is being organized by Project 86, a South Side-based nonprofit that tries to eradicate poverty in urban areas. Henderson competed in two 7-on-7 tournaments over the summer for Project 86. The fundraiser is to help pay for Henderson's medical bills and rehabilitation expenses.
Henderson said he'll be starting additional therapy soon.
"When the team at Project 86 heard about Everett's shooting we all felt we needed to do something for him and his family," said Project 86 director of events, Elissa Hernandez. "We feel like he is one of our kids."
Henderson told the Sun-Times he believes the shooting was a case of mistaken identity. The shooter has not been caught, according to multiple media reports.
The fundraiser will take place Friday and Saturday at Gately Stadium, 810 E. 103rd St. The event, which will occur in tandem with football games between Simeon and Dunbar, and Hubbard and Kenwood, will feature food and raffle tickets. For more information, click here.
Henderson said he'll be at the fundraiser Saturday and possibly Friday as well.
"I'm excited," he said.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here.
