PORTLAND, Oregon — A high school senior is recovering at the hospital after family members said he was shot while traveling from Warm Springs to the Oregon Coast on Oct. 10.
Oregon State Police are investigating the shooting they said happened on Highway 26 about a mile away from Government Camp, Thursday evening.
"He's doing really well and he's in good spirits," said JaDe Smith, the sister of 17-year-old Ysidro Greene. He is recovering at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.
Smith said Ysidro was leaving his home in Warm Springs to live with her in Lincoln City. She said he wanted to get away from a home life that included people struggling with drugs and crime.
"This unfortunate situation happened while he was literally moving to Lincoln City," said Smith. "So it's terrible."
Smith said, Ysidro's grandfather and a family friend were driving her brother in a truck belonging to Ysidro's mother. His mother was not with them at the time.
Along Highway 26 headed over Mt. Hood, Smith said they encountered trouble. About a mile away from Government Camp, she said the car in front of them stopped. As her grandfather tried to drive around it, Smith said the driver got out of the car and ambushed them — firing several shots into the truck. Smith said one bullets hit Ysidro's arm, then lodged inside his chest.
"He's very lucky for it to have stopped where it did," said Smith. "If it went any further, it would have punctured his aorta and then him being where he was, he would have bled out."
OSP officials confirm they're investigating the shooting but aren't seeking the public's help right now.
Smith said she's grateful for their work and for those supporting her brother. She started a GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses and lodging for family while he's there.
"I've very appreciative for what they're doing, keeping their heads up," said Ysidro from his hospital bed. "I'm just very grateful for what they're doing for me."
"I want to say thank you to anyone that has sent out prayers, especially," added Smith.