13-year-old shot by stray bullet appeared in anti-gun violence video

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 13-year-old boy who was shot by a stray bullet on the West Side appeared in an anti-gun violence video last year.

Zarriel Trotter, who was not the intended target, was shot Friday night in the lower back when a dispute erupted down the street from him.

On Sunday, Trotter remained in stable, but critical condition after undergoing surgery on Saturday.

In a 2015 public service announcement, Trotter spoke out against gun violence.

"I don't want to live in my community where I have to keep on hearing of people getting shot and people getting killed," Trotter said in the video.

Police are investigating the shooting, but have no one in custody.

"Why? You know, it's a nice community, there's a lot of older people over here, we don't usually have this type of violence over here, especially with the young ones," said Lisa Nixon, neighbor.

Trotter, a 7th grader at a West Side charter school, was active in activities and programs.

"Every morning when he comes in with his younger brother he always has a big smile on his face," says his principal Elizabeth Jamison-Dunn. "Just ready for the day. He's a participant in the Man Mentor a Man Program, which is an empowerment organization for the middle school boys of our school."

The shooting occurred in the 5500-block of West Jackson Boulevard just before 8:30 p.m. A neighbor found Trotter after the shooting and called 911.

For those who live in the South Austin community, so often plagued by gun violence, news of yet another innocent shot is infuriating.

"That's the thing I'm so tired of hearing," said a resident named Shirley. "And most of the time we say, all we can do is pray."