The incident took place aboard a MARTA train in Atlanta Georgia, on Friday, June 5, before 7 p.m. local time
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A 17-year-old boy has been hospitalized after he was shot multiple times on a train in Atlanta, Ga.
On Friday, June 5, the teenager, who was identified as J’Von Easterling in a GoFundMe appeal, was coming from a science and engineering program at the Georgia Institute of Technology when he was shot in a “random and senseless act” at the Midtown MARTA station, according to the fundraiser.
Easterling was inside a stationary MARTA train when the incident took place before 7 p.m. local time, Fox 5 reported.
The rising senior at KIPP Atlanta suffered multiple bullet wounds and “extensive injuries to his hand and leg,” per the GoFundMe page — but was saved from a potentially fatal bullet by a crossbody bag covering his chest.
Easterling has undergone multiple surgeries on his leg and will need surgery on his hand as well, per the GoFundMe.
“We are grateful J’Von Easterling is recovering following this tragic incident, and our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family during this difficult time,” KIPP Atlanta Schools said in a statement to PEOPLE, noting Easterling is a state champion in track and field and a leader in student gov ernment. “J’Von is an exceptional young man who represents the very best of KIPP Atlanta Schools.”
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On Tuesday, June 9, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Georgia stated in a press release that 42-year-old Anthony Gresham of Lithia Springs, Ga., was charged with committing an act of violence with intent to cause serious bodily injury on a mass transportation system, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in connection with the shooting.
Gresham allegedly fired three shots in the teen’s direction after walking to where the boy had been sitting on the train, per the release. Gresham allegedly fled the scene but was apprehended two days later in Douglas County.
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He has previously been convicted in different counties for armed robbery, aggravated assault, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, theft and robbery by force, and is disqualified from being able to possess firearms, authorities said in the release.
The suspect is set to answer the charges in federal court at a later date, authorities said in the statement.
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Meanwhile, the shooting on Friday, June 5 comes after John Elijah Matthews, 25, allegedly stabbed Margaret Swan, 66, to death while aboard a MARTA train in Atlanta last month, PEOPLE previously reported.
Matthews allegedly stabbed Swan “approximately 20 times in the chest and neck area as she attempted to defend herself,” prosecutors said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
