Dear White People star DeRon Horton reveals he was SHOT in the arm and says he’s lucky not to be ‘paralyzed’
Actor DeRon Horton revealed he was shot just a few days before Christmas in a shocking Instagram post on Thursday.
The 32-year-old actor, who is best known for his performances in Netflix’s Dear White People and American Horror Story: 1984, shared a photo of himself in a hospital bed as he recovered from a gunshot wound to his right arm.
In his caption, he mentioned that he was lucky he was only hit in the arm, as he could have easily been killed or “paralyzed” if the bullet had traveled a few inches to the side.
DailyMail.com has contacted Horton’s representative for comment.
DeRon received many well wishes in the comments, including from fellow stars Samuel L. Jackson and Issa Rae.
“Getting shot a few days before Christmas was definitely not on my bucket list,” he joked in his caption.
Dear White People actor DeRon Horton, 32, revealed Thursday that he was shot in the arm just days before Christmas. He shared a photo of himself in a hospital bed on Instagram
The television star said some had shot at him “through the car,” although he did not clarify whether he was the target or just the victim of a random shooting.
He added that the ‘bullet broke’ [his] arm’ and ‘shattered’ the bones at the site of the wound.
But Horton tried to keep things in perspective and focused on how much worse it could have been under slightly different circumstances.
“I am blessed not to be in a coffin or paralyzed, Lord, thank you,” he wrote.
He added that he had been released from hospital and was “now recovering.”
DeRon wasn’t thrilled about having to live with a plate and screws in his arm to help his bones grow properly again because it prevented him from “working out for a minute.”
‘BUT it could have been worse!’ he admitted.
Horton seemed to be on the rise as he said he wasn’t looking for sympathy as he expected to “bounce right back,” stating, “I feel great.”
![Dear White People star DeRon Horton reveals he was SHOT in the arm and says he's lucky not to be 'paralyzed' 1 The TV star said some shot at him 'through the car' and the 'bullet broke' [his] arm' and 'shattered' the bones at the site of the wound. The long wound had been sewn up and secured securely with strips of tape](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737133653_74_Dear-White-People-star-DeRon-Horton-reveals-he-was-SHOT.jpg)
The TV star said some shot at him ‘through the car’ and the ‘bullet broke’ [his] arm’ and ‘shattered’ the bones at the site of the wound. The long wound had been sewn up and secured securely with strips of tape

DeRon also shared a photo of a computer monitor showing an X-ray of his arm, detailing where his bone had been broken into multiple pieces.

Horton is best known for his roles in Netflix’s Dear White People and American Horror Story: 1984; pictured in 2019 in LA
The actor concluded by reminding his fans – and himself – to “keep God first!”
‘Stay alert and grateful for everything. the devil can’t stop you from walking with God,” he warned.
His post included a photo of the inside of his right arm, which had been thoroughly cleaned at the scene.
There was a long incision that ran two-thirds from his wrist to the crook of his arm. It was held together with black stitching and thin strips of tape.
The split was not the result of the initial gunshot wound, but of the subsequent surgery to repair the damage and reattach the shattered bone.
DeRon also shared a photo of a computer monitor showing an x-ray of his arm, showing where his bone had been broken into multiple pieces.
Samuel L. Jackson, who worked with Horton on The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray, shared his well wishes with the junior actor.
“Glad you’re still with us, Tuff Stuff!!!” he wrote. “It’s a good thing you’re covered by the Almighty. I hope you heal as quickly and painlessly as possible. Stay blessed.”
Insecure co-creator and star Issa Rae added, “So glad you’re doing well.”