GoFund Me Started For Man With Autism Shot In Back of the Yards

CHICAGO — Family and friends of a young man with developmental disabilities who was shot while waiting for a school bus, have started a GoFundMe campaign to help with his medical costs and to move his family out of an unsafe area.

Jesus Rega, 21, was standing in front of his house in Back of the Yards with his father and 15-year-old brother the morning of Jan. 18. They were waiting for the school bus, when they were accosted by the three gunmen, news reports said. Jesus is severely autistic and non-verbal. His younger brother is also developmentally disabled.

According to the young man’s father, Phillip Rega Jr., the three rounded the corner and repeatedly asked if they were in a gang. Chicago police have made it clear that Rega Jr. and his family have no affiliation with gangs.

>>> Visit the Jesus Rega Support Fund

"There was no car; they were just walking, pointing a finger at me, thinking I was Two Six," Philip Rega Jr. told ABC 7 Chicago.

Rega Jr. took out his phone and started to call 911 when the three assailants started shooting at them.

Chicago police said ShotSpotter technology in the area noted 39 rounds were fired during the attack. There were too many bullets for the father to cover both his sons. Jesus, being non-verbal, may not have understood his father’s commands to get on the ground.

Jesus was hit in the head by a bullet and grazed on the side of his stomach. He will spend the next several weeks in the neuro ICU at Stroger Hospital, where he is expected to undergo another head surgery. Doctors and family members are hoping his vision will not be affected by his gunshot wounds, as he uses vision boards to communicate.

“He has a long road to recovery, so you can imagine how this will forever impact his and his family's life,” GoFundMe organizers said.

Before the shooting, Jesus loved being with his family, schoolmates, and teachers. He is described as a joyful and loving young man. He is on his way to graduating from high school this year, and his family is hoping that he can cross the stage with his friends.

“This fundraiser is to help Jesus with any expenses that will come of this, along with helping his family get to and from the hospital to be at his bedside. We are also looking to relocate the family to get them out of an unsafe area,” organizers said.

As of Monday afternoon, over $10,000 was raised toward a $50,000 goal. To make a donation, visit the Jesus Rega Support Fund.