PITTSBURGH — It’s been more than two weeks since a gunman entered a Mount Oliver home and began shooting, killing an 11-year-old boy and injuring his teenage brother.
For the first time, 16-year-old C.J. Conrad shared his story Wednesday from the night that changed his life forever.
"As the big brother, I feel like I didn't finish my duty to protect him," C.J. told Channel 11's Renee Kaminski on Wednesday.
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Last week, investigators released a description of the suspect they say walked through an unlocked front door on Nov. 1 around 8:45 p.m.
The shooter is described as a white man in his 30s or 40s who is 6 feet tall.
The boys’ mother, Amanda McKnight, said she was in her bedroom putting away Christmas presents that she had just purchased for her sons and the boys were playing video games when the shooter walked into the house.
"He pushed off the wall and just started shooting. Me and David were playing a game," C.J. said.
Several shots were fired, hitting C.J. and 11-year-old David McIntyre.
“I went to cover him but I couldn't move because of the condition I was in, and he kept firing as I was on the ground,” C.J. said.
C.J. said he immediately thought about protecting his brother.
“The main thing he knew (was) I wanted to protect him and couldn't at the same time," C.J. said. “He was turning blue and there was all this blood. I couldn’t' stand looking at him, so I had to look away.”
The bullets shattered part of C.J.’s thumb, both arms and pierced his liver.
“All we heard was shots fired. We weren’t sure if it hit me or if the first shot was to scare us, but then he fired all eight shots,” C.J. said.
The shooter then walked out of the home.
“He just walked away. He didn't get in a car or anything, he just walked,” C.J. said.
David was pronounced dead at the scene and C.J. was rushed to the hospital.
“The hardest thing I ever had to do was tell my son his brother was gone,” C.J. and David’s mother, Amanda McKnight, said earlier this month.
McKnight told Kaminski Wednesday that she wants to know why her sons were shot.
“You were man enough to walk in my home, not cover your identity. Be man enough to step up and take responsibility,” she said. “I hope my son haunts you every night.”
C.J. told Channel 11 News that other than an argument over a girl with a boy at a rival school, he has no idea what could be behind the shooting.
Pittsburgh Crime Stoppers are offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and prosecution.
“He was a funny guy. Even though he made me mad sometimes, he made things interesting,” C.J. said remembering his brother. “He was my buddy.”
C.J. said he now wears a cross around his neck at all times in memory of his little brother, who he said he believes saved him in death.
“As the soul was coming out of his body, it must have transferred to protect me because without his soul protecting my left side, I would have been finished off as well,” C.J. said.
While he faces more surgery on his hand, C.J. hopes to be back at school by January.
Anyone with information concerning the case is asked to call Pittsburgh Crime Stoppers at 412-255-TIPS. Callers may remain anonymous.
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