18-year-old left paralyzed from neck down after driver allegedly shot him day after prom

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — An 18-year-old is paralyzed from the neck down following a road rage shooting.

Saturday had been a high point in Dexter Foster’s life. “He was really excited about going to prom,” his mother, Shavon Poullard, recalled.

However, on Sunday afternoon, everything changed when Foster was shot while driving on the I-610 South Loop near Mykawa. Poullard explained that Foster was taking a date out to eat when they noticed a white car driving erratically behind them. Eventually, the two cars made contact.

“The guy was telling him to pull over because they hit the car,” Poullard said.

Foster exited at Mykawa, trying to find a safe place to exchange information. But before he could, the other driver pulled up beside him at a traffic light and opened fire. One of the bullets struck Foster in the neck.

“He was just trying to do the right thing, trying to get out of the way,” Poullard said.

Foster has been at Ben Taub Hospital for the past five days. Doctors have told his family that he will likely never walk again, though his father remains hopeful. “Doctors can’t predict God’s handiwork. God’s handiwork is mightier than anybody’s words,” Michael Foster said.

So far, police have a vague description of the suspect and no leads. They are urging anyone who was in the area around 4:45 p.m. on Sunday to come forward with information.

“It’s just hard. One day, you’re happy and excited. The next day, it’s a totally different story,” Poullard said.