Star high school student who was shot twice on his train ride home reveals the piece of clothing that saved his life

By WILKO MARTÍNEZ-CACHERO, US REPORTER Published: 21:50, 10 June 2026 | Updated: 21:50, 10 June 2026 A star Georgia high school student who was shot three times while taking the train home revealed the clothing item that miraculously saved his life. Rising high school senior J'von Easterling, 17, was leaving a science program at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta when he boarded a local MARTA train at the Midtown station. Moments later, 42–year–old Anthony Gresham allegedly walked into the same train car and pulled out a handgun, the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia said Tuesday. He subsequently fired three times in the teenager's direction, authorities alleged. Easterling, who was described by his family as a standout scholar and state champion athlete at KIPP Atlanta high school, sustained multiple bullet wounds and extensive injuries to his left hand and left leg, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser. However, he said the crossbody bag he was sporting across his chest when the gunfire erupted blocked the bullet that could have taken his life. Since the shooting, Easterling has undergone multiple leg surgeries and will also need to go under the knife for his hand. Gresham was arrested two days after the shooting and is being charged with three federal crimes. Rising high school senior J'von Easterling, 17, was on his way home from a science program when he was allegedly shot at three times by Anthony Gresham, 42 Easterling is a state champion track-and-field athlete and a student government leader at KIPP Atlanta high school In a GoFundMe started after the shooting, Easterling credited the bag he was wearing across his chest for blocking a bullet that could have taken his life Easterling will remain hospitalized for multiple weeks while his injuries are stabilized, per the fundraiser. His single mother will be unable to work as she tends to her recovering son. As of Wednesday afternoon, about $36,100 had been raised of the initial $50,000 goal to support Easterling and his mom with medical expenses, transportation and lost income. KIPP Atlanta school staff said that Easterling was an 'exceptional young man.' 'As a rising senior, track and field state champion, and student government leader, he has made a lasting impact on our community through his character, leadership, and dedication to excellence,' the school told WSB–TV. Authorities said that Gresham rapidly fled the train station after Friday's shooting. Gresham was arrested in Douglasville, roughly 20 miles west of Atlanta, around 10am on Sunday, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. Once he was spotted by authorities, Gresham ran into the woods until he was effectively forced out by search dogs and an air unit, per the outlet. He was then taken into custody and booked into the Douglas County jail. Gresham was arrested and booked into the Douglas County jail. He faces three federal charges after the shooting Authorities said Gresham entered the same train car as the teenager before he pulled out a handgun and fired three shots in his direction Gresham has been charged with committing an act of violence with intent to cause serious bodily injury on a mass transportation system, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He will appear in federal court at a future date, which is yet to be announced. Gresham's criminal history included felony convictions for armed robbery, aggravated assault, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, burglary, theft and robbery by force, authorities alleged. His extensive record would have disqualified him from legally possessing firearms and ammunition. 'Gresham was allegedly undeterred by decades of prosecution for robberies, drug trafficking, and other crimes, which compounds the need for federal intervention in this case,' US Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a press release. Marlo Graham, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Atlanta field office, added that violence would not be tolerated in the city's transit network. 'The citizens of Metro Atlanta and our visitors deserve a safe and secure transportation system,' Graham said. The Daily Mail has reached out to Easterling's family and the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia for further comment. It is unclear if Gresham has retained an attorney.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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