MARGARET Matthews, the Chicago grandmother who shot a 12-year-old boy after being attacked with a brick, said late Thursday that she is relieved that the boy will be OK but is not apologising for defending herself.
"I prayed for him, I'm praying for him. This is an unfortunate situation that couldn't be helped. But if I hadn't tried to protect myself, I might not be standing here now," Ms Matthews, 68, said after returning home Thursday night.
According to police and neighbours, the 12- and 13-year-old boys threw bricks at Matthews' house Tuesday afternoon, breaking two windows. She called police, but they did not come right away. About an hour later, the boys returned and this time threw more bricks, hitting Ms Matthews in the chest with one.
The retiree then fired several shots hoping to scare them off and hit the 12-year-old in the arm.
"God knows I didn't [try to hit the boy], and I'm so glad that it wasn't any worse than it is. I'm so glad that he's going to be all right ... physically he's going to be fine, and I hope mentally he can be all right," Ms Matthews said.
Both of the attackers were charged with aggravated assault of a senior. Ms Matthews remains shaken by the incident and is not sure if she will stay in her house in the city's South Side.
Despite enduring a year of harassment and mistreatment by the boys, Ms Matthews was forgiving. She said that if she could, she would give the boy a hug and try to help him turn his life around.
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