CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A Clarksburg city councilmember shot in September has launched a public awareness campaign to prevent similar incidents.
Councilmember Jim Malfregeot spent 38 days in the hospital after being shot in the torso. Antonio Dejesus, 33, of Wilmington, Delaware, is accused of shooting the lawmaker and carjacking a car containing Malfregeot’s wife and mother-in-law. The women were not seriously injured.
“While I’m laying in the hospital, I’m thinking this is Clarksburg, Harrison County, West Virginia. We can’t let this happen again,” Malfregeot said last week on “MetroNews Talkline.”
City leaders and law enforcement suggested Malfregeot push the slogan “if you see something, say something,” identical to the national campaign of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“Back when I was a kid, the houses were always unlocked. Your bikes, footballs and basketballs were left in the yard,” Malfregeot said. “You can’t do that today. Not with the backpackers and the homeless.”
The councilmember added people should not be afraid to call 911 if they see something suspicious.
Dejesus remains at North Central Regional Jail.