‘We thought he was dead’: Father says son at Wallens Ridge was shot in the face with rubber bullet

WISE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Henrico father is looking for answers after he said his son was shot in the face with a rubber bullet at Wallens Ridge State Prison in Wise County. In an exclusive interview, he said it's been a challenge to get information.

Pertelle Gilmore is the father of Taneak Turner. 30-year-old Turner is 11 years into his 26-and-a-half-year sentence for manslaughter and felony use of a firearm in Charlottesville.

“He was sentenced to 26 years and six months," Gilmore said. "He was not sentenced to be shot in the face.” 

Since Turner was allegedly shot on August 11, Gilmore told 8News that it’s been hard to get Turner's medical records or talk to him, at times not knowing if he’s alive. 

Turner was allowed to make one phone call after the shooting to his grandmother, Gilmore's mother, who then called Gilmore.

“We thought he was dead," Gilmore said. "We all thought he was dead.” 

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) told 8News they’re investigating the “use-of-force incident."

Gilmore said his son was shot after crossing what’s called the "red line" when trying to use the phones. Inmates are not to cross this red line without permission. 

“Everyone’s fighting for this phone because they’re trying to get to their loved ones," Gilmore said.  “He said, ‘Dad, I was just trying to get the phone. I was telling the guy, Can I get the phone next?’ And he said next thing you know, he was on the ground. He don’t remember anything.” 

Gilmore said no one has heard from Turner since Friday, August 15. The last time they spoke, Turner was having a hard time recalling what happened before or after the shooting and complained about pain behind his eyes and the back of his head. Gilmore said a nurse told him Turner could possibly need face reconstruction surgery.

Gilmore said every time he tries to get answers, prison officials tell him conflicting things and that interactions with prison staff have not eased the "terror" the family is feeling. 

“Whenever I call, they pass the buck," he said. "Everyone says something different and then they tell me talk to this one, then when I talk to this one, he tells me talk to this one. I say, 'I just talked to him. He told me to talk to you.'” 

Gilmore wants his son’s medical records and to become the power of attorney, something he feels the VADOC is keeping from happening. He said he has one paper he needs Turner to sign for this to happen.

“I’m a hurt father," he said. "I’m so hurt. I’m so hurt.” 

After serving time in prison himself, Gilmore started his own non-profit called the B.U.C.K Squad (Brothers United to Cease the Killing) working in conflict resolution and preventing gun violence.

“I’m not saying eradicate the prison system because the prison system is supposed to be," he said. "But you have to care- these are still humans.... these people still have the opportunity to be better people.” 

He said he and Turner have "deep conversations" about the crimes he committed and ways he can turn his life around once his sentence is complete to be a productive member of society.  

Gilmore said Turner also served time at Sussex I State Prison and Greensville Correctional Center, but that Wallens Ridge has been worst of the three.

The VADOC said Turner received medical treatment at an off-site hospital and returned back to Wallens Ridge the same day. Since it’s an ongoing investigation, they said they will not be commenting further.