Family says teen shot in drive-by shooting is paralyzed

MURRAY — The family of a 14-year-old boy who was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting last Thursday said he has a long road to recovery.

The boy's stepfather said Aspen McCarty was leaving the Murray North Trax station, near 4500 S. and Main Street, when he and two other friends were shot.

“It was like our worst nightmare,” said Nathan Barth, McCarty’s stepfather.

Barth said McCarty was shot three times, leaving him with several injuries, including broken ribs, a fractured vertebra, a collapsed lung and a leg injury. He said his stepson is currently paralyzed and doctors have told him McCarty won't be able to walk again.

Barth said her stepson was in a lot of pain but was recovering, adding that he underwent spinal fusion surgery on Monday.

“We are very optimistic and hopeful. The operation went well. They say, you know, there's a chance he could walk again. They prepare us in ways he wouldn't. But any hope is enough for us. So we’re going to go wild with this,” he said.

McCarty was supposed to begin his high school football training at Cottonwood High School. Barth said that was no longer the case.

“Now things have completely changed and he has to live a completely different life,” Barth said.

Barth said he also began looking for new, more ADA accessible housing for his stepson.

“We just hope we can do our best to keep him moving forward, regardless of the outcome, whether he walks again or not,” he said.

A Murray police spokesperson initially told KSL that three adult males were shot in this drive-by shooting last Thursday.

On Monday, a spokesperson confirmed two juveniles were shot, along with another adult male who died. Police are not releasing the name of the deceased victim or any information about the other juvenile involved.

“It scares me that my son is on a train. Moments later, he was shot in a parking lot right next to a public place in broad daylight where everyone is supposed to be safe, and that didn't happen to him,” Barth said.

Barth said he is trying to be patient in the investigation, but hopes Murray police can find those responsible. The family has created a GoFundMe* to help cover medical costs.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Murray Police Department.

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