A night out for Houston mother of five, Javoni Fortner, ended in a life-altering tragedy that has left her potentially facing permanent disability.
Fortner, a dedicated mother balancing two jobs, attended a paint-and-sip event on September 29th, a rare moment of relaxation for the hardworking mom. But upon her return home that night, a violent encounter nearly cost her life.
According to reports, Javoni took a rideshare home from the event, but around 9:30 p.m., her mother, Shameka, received a distressing call.
“I heard the hysteria in her voice, and she kept crying out, ‘Mom, mom, someone tried to beat me to death with a bat,’” Shameka told reporters.
Authorities later confirmed that Fortner was attacked with what appeared to be a club or bat, with the suspect allegedly fleeing the scene in a black sedan.
Her injuries are extensive, and her prognosis remains uncertain. Fortner’s mother fears the suspect may be someone Javoni knew, possibly a man she had previously rejected.
“I still have the purse she was holding,” Shameka said, tearfully recalling that her daughter’s sturdy handbag might have prevented even more grievous injuries. “If not for that purse, I might have been burying my daughter last weekend.”
While Shameka remains grateful her daughter survived, she is determined to seek justice, urging anyone with information to step forward.
“The capture of this person needs to be a top priority,” she said. “There’s no telling how many times he’s done this before.”
As Javoni’s family braces for a long journey of recovery, they are asking for the community’s help. A GoFundMe page has been established to assist with her mounting medical bills, a necessity given her extensive injuries and likely lengthy rehabilitation.
The family also expressed their gratitude to the bystander who called 911, an action that may have saved Javoni’s life.
