“Dear White People” star DeRon Horton is recovering from a gunshot wound to the arm after being shot last month.
The 32-year-old actor, who played geek Lionel Higgins in Netflix's college series adaptation of Justin Simien's 2014 film, revealed Thursday that he had been shot a few days before Christmas and has been recovering since.
“First of all. I want to give an honor to God for covering and protecting me to overcome this situation and many others,” he wrote on Instagram, geotagging the post with Los Angeles. “Everyone who checked on me and greeted me, especially my family and friends. I love you all, thank you. Getting shot a few days before Christmas was definitely not on my bucket list… but it happened.”
Horton said the gunman shot him through a car and the bullet broke his left arm and shattered “all kinds of os…”. He added that he is lucky “not to be in a coffin or paralyzed,” and confirmed that he has since left the hospital and is recovering with a plate and screws in his arm. Although he regretted not being able to exercise, he acknowledged that his situation could have been much worse.
“I don't need sympathy. I'm going to recover. I feel amazing…I just wanted to remind everyone and myself to keep God first! Stay alert and grateful for everything. “the devil can’t stop you when you walk with God,” he wrote.
The actor accompanied his post with images of himself in a hospital bed with a cast on his left arm. It included gruesome photos of the wound, his x-ray, multiple stitches up his forearm, and photos of the damaged car window he was allegedly shot through.
Horton did not specify whether authorities were involved in the incident and did not immediately respond Friday to The Times' request for comment.
In “Dear White People,” Horton replaced “Abbot Elementary” star Tyler James Williams, who originated the role of Lionel in the 2014 Sundance hit “Dear White People.” The Netflix adaptation premiered in 2017 and resumed the film's story, using virtually the same cast. Horton and Logan Browning replaced Williams and led Tessa Thompson, respectively, and the television series ran for four seasons until 2021.
Horton also starred in 2017's “Roman J. Israel, Esq” alongside Denzel Washington and appeared in “American Vandal,” “American Horror Story,” “Drunk History” and “Bad Hair.” He recently starred in the AppleTV+ series “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey” with Samuel L. Jackson.
Jackson, along with many of Horton's “Dear White People” co-stars, were quick to send well wishes to the actor.
“I'm glad you're still with us, Tuff Stuff!!!” -Jackson commented. “Thank goodness you are covered by the Almighty. Hoping you heal as quickly and painlessly as possible… Stay blessed”
“Dear God, thank you for protecting my special Deron,” Browning wrote.
Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins, who appeared on both versions of “Dear White People,” added: “Thank GOD for your life. I'm so, so happy you're okay!
“I'm so glad you're okay,” added “Insecure” star and creator Issa Rae.
