Shooter Apologizes To Girl He Paralyzed
DORCHESTER, Mass. (WBZ) ― The man who shot and paralyzed little Kai Leigh Harriott nearly five years ago apologized to her Wednesday in a videotaped message from prison.
The event kicked off “Peace Month” in Boston.
Anthony Warren fired off three rounds outside Kai Leigh’s Dorchester home in July 2003 during an argument with some of her neighbors, while she was playing on her porch. A bullet severed her spine and left her paralyzed from the waist down. She was three years old at the time.
Two years ago, she forgave Warren in an emotional court appearance.
In his videotaped apology Wednesday, Warren spoke about Kai Leigh’s forgiveness.
“It made me want to change,” he said. “It made me, not want to be colder and harder. It made me really take a look at myself.”
Warren is now serving a 13-to-15 year sentence. He recorded the apology in prison. It was played Wednesday at a ceremony to begin a month of events aimed at promoting peace in the city. Kai Leigh and her mother Tonya David were among those watching the tape.
“I want to say to him thank you for making the apology video, because you can inspire so many other people by telling them don’t carry around guns,” Kai Leigh said. “And don’t do bad things.”
The messages are part of a project called “Voices from Behind the Wall.” It’s a film made by a former inmate who interviewed 9 inmates who are urging young people to turn their lives around for the better.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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