Teen still critical after Plainfield shooting

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Published in the Star-Ledger, Sunday, 4/23/2006, page 23

Teen still critical after shooting

BY SARA K. CLARKE
STAR-LEDGER STAFF

A 19-year-old Plainfield man remained in critical condition last night after being shot twice, authorities said yesterday.

James Lyles, an up-and-coming amateur boxer, was shot around 11 p.m. Thursday at Berkeley Terrace and East Front Street after leaving his house to meet someone, police said. One shot struck Lyles in the back. Police said they first believed both shots hit him in the back, but the other may have struck his leg.

Police arrived on the scene after a resident reported hearing cries for help. Another witness told police about seeing two men approaching Lyles prior to the shooting.

No arrests have been made, according to authorities.

Cornell Woodard, who owns a barbershop in Plainfield, said he'd trained Lyles off and on since he was 9 and described him as a "very respectful" kid who stayed out of trouble.

"James is a nice kid, keeps a smile on his face," Woodard said. "It's a shame. Everything was going good for him."

In fact, Woodard said, Lyles was scheduled to fight last night at the New Brunswick Boxing Club. He said Lyles was eager to compete and expected many of his friends to attend the bout.

He said he was shocked to hear that Lyles had instead fallen victim to street violence.

"He didn't do that -- he didn't carry guns," Woodard said. "He's not a troublemaker."

Staff writers Kathleen G. Sutcliffe and Jonathan Casiano contributed to this report.

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