Teen shot walking to church recovering in hospital

BOSTON (WHDH) -- A 13-year-old boy is on the road to recovery after he was shot on the way to choir practice in Dorchester Friday night.

Gabriel Clarke is still in a lot of pain, but recovering in the hospital. He told his pastor he's grateful to be alive.

“He's thankful. He said God spared his life, ‘cause he could have been dead,” said Pastor Nigel David, Berea Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

The teen was on his way to a Dorchester church for choir practice Friday when he was shot.

“He was coming to rehearsal on Friday night for a program that’s going to start this Saturday in the afternoon. And a car pulled up and shot him. Next thing he knows, he's rushed to hospital,” said David.

Clarke is not just part of the choir, but he's also a junior deacon and a regular for Wednesday prayer meetings.

“He's always the first to be here and on Wednesday night for prayer meeting. Always here -- never missed a night,” said Delbert Hazell, church elder.

While Clarke is recovering at the hospital, he'll be missing church.

But it seems church elders, like Carlton Williams, are coming to him -- praying for a quick recovery.

“All he answers is a nod of the head, or, ‘yes,’ not much more,” said Carlton Williams, church elder.

Clarke may not be able to say much now, but those who love him are speaking words of disappointment -- that a young innocent boy could be caught in the crossfire of a bigger problem.

“Ridiculous that a young man who’s not gang affiliated, doesn’t live that type of lifestyle, could be on the way to church, and ends up getting shot for no reason,” David said.

Police are still searching for the shooter.