Lawanda Booker compares before (right) and after X-ray photos of Edward’s spinal fusion surgery at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Philadelphia. A bullet on Edward’s spine was also removed during the surgery. Edward was shot five times by another 16-year-old, with unknown reason, while walking home with his sister from a birthday party. “First time, I got a little shook-up. Second time, I hit the ground. Out of breath, pleading for my life,” Edward said of the shooting.