Teen shot Saturday night conscious, parents looking for answers

SOUTH BEND, Ind. --- Parents of a South Bend teen shot in the back on Saturday is asking for the community to come forward with information to help law enforcement identify the shooter.

South Bend Police Department said Shot Spotter called out officers to a shooting around 11:30 p.m. on October 13. David Pruitt, 18, was injured in the back on Saturday when he showed up to the hospital, according to police

Pruitt and his family are currently at a hospital in Indianapolis, after what police called a possible life-threatening injury. He is conscious but under sedation, according to his parents David Pruitt and Kelly Bradley.

“We got to see him and spend time with him,” David Pruitt, his father said. “Everything is hopefully looking up, you know, we’re not out of the woods yet but a lot of prayer and a lot of belief and we’re going to come through this thing.”

Pruitt is a 2018 graduate of Washington High School in South Bend. Bradley said Pruitt was enrolled at Hawkins University, but came back home to spend more time with his two-year-old son.

“To me, he’s still my little boy,” she said. “He’s a homebody, loves football, he’s a great father to his son.”

Pruitt’s parents said they are holding on to prayers and support from the community. However they say they urge anyone with information to contact the police department.

“It’s not just about them it’s about everyone you’re affecting when you pick up a gun and shoot somebody’s loved one,” Bradley said.

Police said they are interviewing witnesses to identify a suspect or multiple suspect involved in Saturday’s shooting. If you have any information, call the South Bend Police Department.