Mother of Bethune-Cookman University student shot at party talks to WFTV

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The mother of 20-year-old Bethune-Cookman University student Reginald Graham said she became hysterical when she heard that her son had been shot Thursday night.

"All I know is I've got to get to my baby," she said.

On Friday she told Channel 9's Mario Boone she was feeling some relief.

"Right now he's in stable condition, he's alert, he's up, he's talking," Lakisha Clancy said.

Graham was one of several people shot at a party a few blocks from the B-CU campus.

Photos: Shooting near Bethune-Cookman University

"The bullet hit him in his back, traveled through his kidneys, hit his liver, his lungs, and now it's lodged in his chest," Clancy said.

Graham also suffered collapsed lungs, but doctors said they expect him to make a full recovery.

"The nurse told him he's lucky.  He told the nurse, 'No, I'm not lucky, I'm blessed,'" Clancy said.
Graham, a junior majoring in special education, was among four students shot at the party.

Police are still searching for the alleged gunman, Vincent Smith, 23.

"(It was) heartless, very heartless.  (He) don't have a heart," Clancy said.

On Friday, SWAT officers surrounded an apartment in Brevard County where they believed Smith was hiding, but he was not inside.

Investigators said the 300-pound Smith, known as Wu on the streets, is a gang member who they consider to be armed and dangerous.

"You might as well turn yourself in.  You can run, but you can't hide," Clancy said.

Frank Thomas, 21,  Darian Baker, 21, and Vintonisha Smith, 19, were also shot. None of them suffered life-threatening injuries, according to police.

Police said they believe Vincent Smith began shooting when he was kicked out of the house party on Henry Butts Drive.

"According to one of the witnesses, he was in between two cars and he just started firing randomly," said Jimmie Flynt of the Daytona Beach Police Department.

Police said Vincent Smith is driving an orange 2011 Chevy Camaro, with either a Florida tag, number DGKD87, or a Florida temporary tag, number BFJ3044.

Police said Smith is known to frequent Marina Vista, Sail Point Bay, Wedgewood and Eagle Oaks Apartments and he has a "Love of my life" tattoo on his left shoulder.

Anyone with information is asked to text "CRIMES" (274637) with a cellphone or log on to www.dbpd.us and click on Anonymous Web Tips. When using a cellphone, all messages should begin with "DBTIPS." Tipsters will remain anonymous.

WFTV