Mother speaks out following Bolivar shooting

BOLIVAR Tenn. — We have continuing coverage after a Wednesday night shooting leaves two people in critical condition. A mother speaks out on the moments leading up to this unfortunate incident.

WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News tipsters notified us of a shooting in Bolivar around 10:30 Wednesday night. When our crew arrived on scene, we saw multiple law enforcement with the Bolivar Police Department. Residents in the area tell us authorities were on the scene for more than six hours. Tawana Polk, the mother of Jorvontai Polk, a victim in the shooting incident, gives us the moments before shots were fired.

“My son just went outside. He was recently in a car wreck last week, so he was able to get up and walk around yesterday. He was outside talking to a friend of his that came to check on him. One or two guys walked through our carport and the next thing you know shots rang out,” said Tawana Polk, mother of shooting victim.

Polk tells us she’s used to people walking through their carport, but this time two unknown individuals walked through in all black with hoodies which was unusual.

“When my husband ran to the door and opened the door to go outside the person started shooting at him. On our carport there’s a little out-house attached, so he had to jump from there and the car to keep from getting hit,” said Polk.

Tawana Polk says she, her grandchild, and her husband were left outside in the cold for hours as police searched her home, and expressed concern on whether they were even allowed to do so.

“They’re supposed to have both our our consent, and my husband said no. It happened outside so yall have no reason to go inside my house. Our son didn’t have a gun or anything. When they came back with the warrant they did not show us the warrant. They’re supposed to physically show us the warrant before they go into my house. They did not physically show us a warrant,” said Tawana Polk, mother of shooting victim.

Polk tells us her son underwent his second surgery with injuries to his lungs and his spine, adding that he can feel his legs, but he can’t move them. Her son’s friend Kejuan Wilkes is also having surgery on his arm that was hit during the shooting.

According to Polk, as of Thursday both individuals were in critical condition.

“I just really want the guys that did it locked up because I feel like it was not fair to my child, and his friend getting shot when it was meant for somebody else that wasn’t even on our street. He doesn’t know the guys, and we don’t know the guys. We just know they’re from Jackson,” said Tawana Polk.

Authorities are still investigating to determine the suspects related to the shooting. If anyone has additional information to help law enforcement locate the individuals responsible, contact the Bolivar Police Department at (731) 658-4284.