Former UFC fighter John Howard’s children, Juliana and Johan, were shot in their Boston suburb with Juliana in critical condition on a ventilator and Johan released from hospital; a GoFundMe for the family has raised over $18,000 to date.
Former UFC fighter John Howard is currently experiencing a terrible ordeal that no parent ever wishes to endure. On September 17, his two children, Juliana and Johan Howard, were caught in gunfire at the Franklin Field housing community in Dorchester, a suburb of Boston. Johan, 11, suffered a gunshot wound in the leg and was later released from Boston Children’s Hospital. However, his sister Juliana, 15, is currently in a critical condition. She sustained four gunshot wounds, with one even piercing her head. As a result, she has been put on a ventilator in a bid to keep her alive.
The shooting incident occurred while the siblings’ mother, Joanna Algarin, was preparing dinner for the family. According to a GoFundMe post set up to raise funds for the family’s needs, she heard noises that sounded like fireworks during the preparation of the meal. Both children, who were playing nearby, ended up being hit several times. The GoFundMe also mentions that Juliana is undergoing a series of surgeries in her fight for life, and detailed that the funds raised will be used for medical expenses, rehabilitation, counseling, and day-to-day expenses of the family as they try to rebuild their lives.
In the wake of the tragic incident, Howard took to Instagram to share an update with a local news report from WCVB in Boston. He also expressed his gratitude for the support received by the family and asked the community for more help. He wrote, “My daughter is still fighting for her life…Any donations you want to give is greatly appreciated! Even when she makes a full recovery, we still have a long road ahead.” As such, reports from WCVB states that, aside from Howard’s children, three other adults were reportedly hospitalized due to the shooting. Furthermore, the GoFundMe raised occurred to be a success, having raised over $18,000 thus far, with a total goal set at $30,000.