Teenager on the mend

Washington, D.C.

The youngest victim in this fall’s sniper attacks held his first press conference, and said he could not wait to return to a normal life. Iran Brown, 13, was shot in the abdomen on Oct. 7 in front of his school. The bullet ripped through his internal organs, leaving him near death. His aunt rushed him to a clinic, where he was stabilized until a helicopter could whisk him to a hospital. Surgeons removed his spleen, and repaired damage to his pancreas, lungs, intestinal tract, and stomach. Brown thanked well-wishers who sent him cards. He said he was eager to get back to school, spend time with his friends, and play basketball. “One thing I’ve learned from all this is to stay strong, stay healthy, and never give up.”