Woburn Boy Scouts Build Ramp For Paralyzed Former Member

WOBURN, MA — Woburn Boy Scouts honored one of their own this weekend by helping build a deck and wheelchair ramp at the home of a former Scout now paralyzed from the neck down.

On June 12, 19-year-old Jemil Evans was accidentally shot in the neck by a friend. A police investigation determined that Alec Augustino Braz, 22 of Woburn, was showing his new gun to friends inside their Mt. Pleasant Street home when it was unintentionally discharged, hitting Evans in the neck.

Evans will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He has been recuperating at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown, and is expected to return Sep. 9, according to a statement from the Boy Scouts’ Spirit of Adventure Council in Woburn.

To prepare for his return, the Woburn gathered over the weekend to build a wheelchair-accessible ramp, using supplies provided at a discount by Lowe’s. Evan’s old Scout troop came pitched in to show support.

“It’s a Woburn kid, a Woburn Scout – it really did hit home with all of us,” Boy Scout 519 Troop member Peter Lochrie told WBZ News/Radio.

Mary Evans, Jemil’s grandmother, told WBZ News that she’s encouraged by the support the community has shown. “People are so kind and generous,” Evans said. “I’m really grateful, and just shocked. The goodness in people is just amazing.”

A GoFundMe drive to help with medical costs, equipment, and housing has raised $41,950 out of $50,000 as of Monday afternoon.

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