Police Officers Who Rushed Wounded Detroit Girl To Hospital Honored
DETROIT (WWJ) - Two Detroit police officers have been recognized for their quick actions which may have saved the life of a 7-year old girl last weekend.
India Williams was riding her bike in her neighborhood Sunday when she was caught in the crossfire of a gunfight.
On Thursday, her mother, Clinquet Williams, said her daughter's condition had improved from critical to stable.
She credits Eric Pangelli and Daniel Balow who made the split-second decision to take the child to the hospital in their squad car.
"I don't care what no physicians say or she shouldn't have been touched or moved...but I know she wouldn't have been here," Clinquet Williams said.
Witnesses told police there were two cars occupied by several suspects, firing shots at each other when India was shot in the shoulder and chest.
Among the first to respond to the scene were Balow and Pangelli.
What were they thinking at the time?
"Trying to get her there safely; trying not to wreck the car, you know, trying to deal with traffic; worrying about what's going on in the back," said Balow. "Is she still alive, or, is she gonna make it?"
Said Pangelli ,"Having nieces and nephews around her age...I don't know. It's just one of those things where, seeing a child like that shot, but being able to try to do what we can; just out here doing what we do, I guess."
A special fund to help the girl's family has been set up at Fifth Third bank branches in the city.
"We were hopefully able to make some kind of difference in her life, between, you know, being able to play again; or that poor family having to have a funeral for her this week," Pangelli said.
On Monday, police said they had 22-year-old man in custody related to the shooting.
Detectives are still looking for a second gunman. He is described as a black man, 36-years-old, 6 feet, 1 inch and bald. He may be driving a black minivan.
Police ask anyone with additional information regarding the shooting of India to please call the 11th Precinct Detectives at 313-596-1140 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.