Share this @internewscast.com

The parents of an Arizona teen who was randomly shot in the head said he was trying to make money to take care of his family.

The incident happened at a Wendy’s restaurant off of 19th Avenue and Glendale Road in Phoenix, on Thursday night. A customer upset over barbeque sauce shot 16-year-old Brian Durham Jr. in the head, nicking his brain, ABC Arizona reports.

“He went to work that day, you know happy,” Brian’s father, Brian Durham Sr., told NBC 12. “But he never expected to be shot.”

Durham Sr. said his son was standing near the restaurant’s drive-thru window when a co-worker and the suspect began arguing. The suspect exited his vehicle, pulled a gun out and started shooting. He then got into the passenger’s side of the vehicle as it fled.

“So, the dude on the outside tells him, ‘no, you [have] to pay for it,’ so he started getting louder,” Durham Sr. said. “The [suspect] got up, out of his car, walked up to the window and just shot… didn’t care about life.”

[embedded content]

On Friday, police arrested Theotis Polk, 27, in connection with the incident. Investigators said Polk was the shooter. No information has been released about the driver.

Brian was transported to Phoenix’s Children’s Hospital and endured a five-hour surgery. A GoFundMe account set up for medical expenses says he’s “pulling through” and expected to survive.

“He’s going to keep fighting. He’s a strong boy. He’s going to make it through this,” Brian’s said.

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast

Join Nancy Grace for her new online video series designed to help you protect what you love most – your children.

[Feature Photo: GoFundMe]

Source: This post first appeared on https://www.crimeonline.com/feed/

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Police: Man Fatally Shoots Driver for ‘Driving Very Slowly’

Left inset: Jaden Harris (Seminole County). Right inset: Joseph Hall Jr. (Sailors…

Ethics Complaint Submitted Against U.S. Attorney in Upstate New York

Inset: Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York John…

Officers at Jail Accused of Indenting Inmate’s Skull: Mother and Police

Photograph Large: Florida inmate Christopher Castro (Florida Department of Corrections). Smaller photos,…

DOJ Reports Woman’s Threat to Harm Trump

President Donald Trump stands outside the White House, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025,…

Woman Accused of Setting House on Fire with Mother and Boyfriend Inside: Police Report

Inset: Sarah Shelburne (Nelson County Detention Center). Background: The home Shelburne allegedly…

Attorney for Missing Emmanuel Haro’s Father Says Search Efforts Are Nonexistent

In California, officials have taken possession of a car owned by the…

Vermont Man Flees Police in Multi-State High-Speed Pursuit Following Domestic Incident

A man from Vermont incited a search across three states after a…

Young Man Claims ‘Grim Reaper’ Instructed Him to Attack Grandmother with Hatchet, He Tells Police

A 19-year-old man from Maine has been incarcerated following allegations that he…

Man Made to Wear Girlfriend’s Dress Before Disposing of Her Body: Police Report

Insets, left to right: Arnaldo Cintron and Giselle Marie Santiago Bonilla (Hillsborough…

Lawsuit Claims Trump Administration Defies Court Order to Fund AmeriCorps

President Donald Trump delivers remarks after enacting legislation to overturn California’s mandate…

Florida Man Faces Execution for 1982 Murder of Woman Kidnapped from Workplace

A man convicted of abducting a woman from a Florida Panhandle insurance…

Gainesville resident charged with deliberately igniting her own apartment

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jermaya Lavaghn Richardson, 32, was arrested last…