ICYMI: Levar Jones Talks About Forgiveness After Trooper Shot Him In 2014
Columbia, S.C. (WOLO)– Levar Jones, the man shot by former trooper Sean Groubert, opens up about the shooting that happened in September of 2014 and said he has come to peace with the events.
“This was my way of dealing with stress for a long time,” Jones said, as he twists and turns the Rubix’s cube
Like a Rubix’s cube, Levar Jones says recovering from the shooting in 2014 is a tough challenge. Since then, he has been diagnosed with PTSD, said he rarely drives, and has had to make many other life-changes to cope with the aftermath.
“I feel like I have to take 6 or 7 extra steps in everything I do,” Jones said.
Sean Groubert will serve about three and a half years after Jones requested the maximum sentence of 20 years. But even though friends say justice was not served, Jones doesn’t see it that way.
“We’re going to go through a fair hearing. After the fair hearing, we’re going to go through a fair trial. After a fair trial, we’re going to have a fair sentencing. I think all of those things were done yesterday,” Jones said.
At the sentencing, Groubert requested to address Jones directly. Groubert sobbed and asked for forgiveness after he said he made the worlds biggest mistake.
“I’ve got to hate you to forgive you, right? Like if I’m not mad at you and you’re asking for forgiveness it’s falling on deaf ears. I’m not mad, I’m not upset,” Jones said.
Jones said the journey’s been easier with family, friends, and his church behind him the every step of the way and he says he prays for Groubert and his support system too.
“I don’t want to drag your family’s last name through the mud. I’m worried about your child getting certain types of treatment when they go places, I’m worried about your wife,” Jones said.
Jones said he still has dreams of the incident, and but he is taking it one day at a time to conquer the game he calls life.
“End of the day, it keeps me in a good place. Now I can talk to you because I’m not stressed out all the time,” Jones said as he finished off the Rubix cube and it was in perfect order.
