Could 14, 2025
Okay’aun Inexperienced will examine kinesiology whereas enjoying on a full soccer scholarship
Okay’aun Inexperienced, 23, who was shot by San Jose, CA, cops in a case of mistaken id three years in the past, has been awarded a full soccer scholarship to the College of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, KTVU studies.
“It simply boosts my spirits an entire lot,” Inexperienced advised the media outlet. “Simply believing in myself and simply preventing again from the brink of loss of life.”
Inexperienced mentioned he obtained a half-dozen scholarship gives.
Then a 20-year-old scholar at Contra Costa School, Inexperienced was shot 4 occasions by San Jose police officer Mark McNamara in 2022. Inexperienced had disarmed a person at metropolis eatery, and police fired at Inexperienced as he exited.
The San Jose Police Division acknowledged it was fallacious in assuming that Inexperienced was concerned in a homicide that happened the identical day and had nothing to do with an incident on the restaurant the place he was shot, La Victoria Taqueria.
There was no apology supplied for the incident. The town has refused to settle a federal lawsuit filed by Inexperienced.
In 2023, McNamara resigned after the police chief found racist texts on the officer’s cellphone.
“It’s a really exasperating factor to undergo,” Inexperienced mentioned. “However it simply confirmed me that nothing is insurmountable.”
McNamara’s legal professional, Susan Coleman, and San Jose metropolis legal professional Nora Frimann mentioned McNamara and the town aren’t accountable for the taking pictures as a result of the officer had “certified immunity” when he shot Inexperienced within the abdomen, arm, and knee.
“Proper now I’m in remedy, in order that form of helps,” Inexperienced mentioned. “And I’m figuring out 3 times a day, attempting to get myself again collectively. It’s nonetheless onerous. It’s nonetheless a tough course of. I nonetheless have nightmares and, you recognize, it’s a endless battle.”
In addition to enjoying soccer, he plans to review kinesiology. “I’m excited,” he mentioned. “I’m excited to lastly put some issues behind me.”
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