CBS4 Exclusive: Two-Year-Old Boy Back Home After Being Shot In Drive-By
NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE (CBSMiami) - A two-year-old Northwest Miami-Dade toddler who was shot in the head in a drive-by two weekends ago is having nightmares from the experience but his mother expects him to make a full recovery.
"He's doing great and he's back to being himself. He's a little depressed and having nightmares, but he is fine. He has no brain damage and is not going to need therapy," said the boy's mother, who asked that we not identify her or her son or show all of her face.
CBS4's Peter D'Oench met exclusively with the mother at a family member's home for the interview and chance to see how her son who she calls "Shaba" is doing.
She told D'Oench that she has been in hiding with her son ever since the drive-by shooting that happened outside her Northwest Miami-Dade two Sunday mornings ago.
"I've been terrified because the gunman is still out there," she said.
As the mother cradled Shaba in her arms, she said, "I keep playing over and over in my mind how this happened to my son. I have been just trying to pray and to do my best to get over it and try to find a way to explain to him how it happened."
"Thank God he is here," she said. "He's my angel. That strength that he carries with him during this time of trauma and injury, I think that's the type of strength I feed off of. Me, emotionally, I lost it. But spiritually, I was here. Physically I was here."
"I still can't believe this happened," she said. "I still can't find the words to express it. I am in disbelief."
"You saw my baby out there when this happened and you still shot him," she said. "If somebody knows something, I would appreciate it if they would come forward and say what they know. I know my son would appreciate it if someone came forward. So would other victims out there. I know they would appreciate it. I am trying to let go of this but this is in God's hands."
Miami-Dade Police say the shooting happened at 4:30 a.m. outside the mother's home. Shaba's grandfather babysitting Shaba and two of his sibling and was cradling Shaba in his arms and was outside the home at that hour because the child had woken up and was crying and the grandfather had gone outside with him.
Police say when the grandfather was outside the home, Shaba's father pulled up in a car. As they were talking, another car pulled up and shots were fired. The grandfather ducked and was not struck.
Police say the father was grazed by a bullet and treated at the scene.
Shaba's family says Shaba was struck in the head by bullet fragments after one bullet ricocheted off a wall.
He was rushed to the Ryder Trauma Center where he stayed for several days.
Shaba turned two years old the day after he was wounded and his hospital room was decorated with birthday balloons.
Miami-Dade Police say they have no new information about the gunman and if he had any accomplices.
They are looking into whether the father of Shaba was the intended target.
They say the gunman fled from the home on N.W. 75th St. and N.W. 8th Ave. in a white or silver, newer model, four-door Infinity.
If you can help Miami-Dade Police with this case, call Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).