Twelve-year-old Bentley Zippittelli may be taking some time to recover from multiple gunshot wounds and a collapsed lung, but his mind is never far from the basketball court.
Zippittelli was the victim of gun violence on April 27 and rushed to the hospital where his recovery was not guaranteed. He remained there for a week.
According to his father, Dallas Zippittelli, one of the first questions Bentley asked was “Will I be able to play basketball again?”
Zippittelli said his son played basketball as long as he can remember, most recently for the Taylor Community Center.
At a community fundraiser for the family hosted by Olyphant’s Rescue & Restore Church Thursday, Dallas Zippittelli said he was hopeful his son would fully recover. He added he was grateful for the support of the community.
Bentley Zippittelli poses with his dad Dallas Zippittelli at a fundraiser in Olyphant Thursday evening. The 12-year-old was the victim of an April 27 shooting. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Bentley Zippittelli poses with Pastor Jack Munley of Rescue & Restore Church on Thursday night. The church held a fundraiser for the 12-year-old to help with his recovery from a gunshot wound. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Bentley Zippittelli attends a fundraising event at Rescue and Restore Church in Olyphant Thursday. Zippittelli, 12, was shot on April 27 while walking back from the dollar store. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
A scary evening
Bentley Zippittelli was on his way home from a dollar store on April 27, when a 14-year-old shot him multiple times in the chest, according to police. That night, police and emergency personnel responded to the 100 block of Susquehanna Avenue Near Chylak Drive, immediately treating Zippittelli and life flighting him to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
But, that wasn’t the only emergency response to the tragic situation.
As soon as community members learned of the tragic event, they rallied around Zippittelli and his family. Members of Rescue & Restore Church, just blocks away from the shooting, gathered in prayer at the site of the shooting just days later.
Pastor Jack Munley said he is well aware that in addition to spiritual support, the family also needed some pragmatic support in their time of need. So, on Thursday the church held a BBQ Benefit fundraiser for Bentley and his family, to assist with medical expenses.
Those attending were thrilled that Bentley Zippittelli was able to attend the fundraiser with his family.
Renee Mackar, who lives at the McDade-Chinchilla apartments across the street from the shooting, remembers hearing a fight outside her window on the night of the shooting.
Then she heard a shot.
Mackar, who lives on the eighth floor of the building, got on the elevator and went downstairs to see what happened.
“Someone came with gauze pads and helped,” she said. “Then, I heard people asking where the shooter went.”
Melissa Munley, who also lives at the apartments, heard someone saying “put pressure on it,” referencing the chest wound. The women stayed until Zippittelli was put in an ambulance.
Both women and many of their friends from the apartment and the neighborhood came to the fundraiser to show their support.
Bigger purpose
Dallas Zippittelli said Bentley’s biggest job right now is to rest and let his body heal.
Zippittelli said his son’s arms are not yet fully functional, but something that is improving with therapy.
And although, he is convinced his son will someday play basketball again, he also thinks the tragedy will have an additional impact on his life.
“He’s destined for a bigger purpose,” he said. “And, not just basketball.”
The name of the 14-year-old accused of shooting Bentley Zippittelli has not been released because of his age. Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher plans to petition the court to try the 14-year-old as an adult.