Former security guard Peola Baptiste survived nine gunshots, a debilitating stroke, and the trauma of witnessing her two friends killed during a robbery outside Pennywise Mall in La Romain two years ago.
Today, she credits her survival to faith and uses her second chance at life to care for her six grandchildren, including eight-month-old twins Kian and Kamari Taylor.
During an interview with Guardian Media, Baptiste said she is looking forward to spending the Christmas and New Year’s holidays with her loved ones including her children—Paul Wellington, Dianna Wellington, Akinyi Wellington, Makinni Wellington, Tyrel Baptiste, 21, and Kadeem Baptiste, 19.
Now at age 60, she reflects on how narrowly she escaped death that fateful day on September 19, 2022, when a gang of youths armed with AR-15 rifles opened fire on her, killing her colleagues Jeffrey Peters and Jerry Stuart.
Baptiste said life after the attack has taken on new meaning, and she spends every moment reflecting on God and giving thanks to His son, Jesus Christ, whose name she called out when she saw the six gunmen outside their van.
“I remember when I saw that gun pointing at me. I called upon the name of Jesus three times, and then I was shot,” she said.
Her wounds were so severe that everyone believed she would die.
She explained that the bullets punctured her chest, leaving a lifelong scar.
“One damaged a heart artery. Another bullet hit my face, exited on one side, and broke my jaw. I had gunshots to my hands, and now my right hand is disabled. I cannot write with it, and I am right-handed. Now, I am learning to use my left hand to write again,” she revealed.
The stroke she suffered after the gunshots required her to undergo bypass surgery.
“I was in a wheelchair and wearing diapers. My two girls changed my diapers like a baby, but I am very grateful, thanks to God and my doctors at Mount Hope who saved me,” she said.
“My last two boys were still in school. My eldest daughter, Diane Wellington, sent them to school, and now they have graduated.”
For Christmas, Baptiste said, she wants to continue what she does every day.
“I want to go to church, praise God, and have a nice meal with my family,” she said.
She noted that some people have no value for life.
“I see people getting killed over petty things. Someone was killed over a noisy truck,” she said.
Before the shooting, Baptiste was very active.
“I used to run and exercise, but I can’t do that anymore,” she said. She continues to perform the therapy exercises prescribed after her stroke.
“Now, with time, I am slowly getting back my sense of taste and smell,” she added.
She urged youths to stay away from guns.
“When they come to give you guns, tell them no. Stay away from that life because you could end up dead or in prison,” she warned. Four of the men who staged the Pennywise heist were killed after a shootout with police. They all lived in Fyzabad.
Baptiste’s daughter Makinni said they were all grateful that Baptiste did not die.
“She thinks she doesn’t do much but she helps me a lot with my twin sons,” she added. Makinni said her mother is now an inspiration for them because of her resilience.
