Young Chicago Shooting Victim Doing Well After Surgery, Family Says
CHICAGO (CBS) — A 6-year-old girl who was shot in the head while playing outside with friends Thursday has been released from surgery.
Family members tell CBS2 's Roseanne Tellez that Zariah Muhammad pulled through her Friday surgery like a champ. A photo shared with CBS 2 by a family member shows the 6-year-old sitting up in her hospital bed, smiling.
Her mother says she had minimal damage.
"After surgery, before surgery, he's been herself. Nothing's changed about her," her mother Gloria Strong said.
Earlier Friday, doctors determined that Zariah had an actual bullet lodged in her head. Doctors worked to remove bullet fragments throughout the day. She is currently in recovery at Comer Children's Hospital in Hyde Park.
The incident occurred Thursday near 68th and Calumet. Witnesses say children were playing outside with water balloons when a man walked up to Zariah's 22-year-old uncle to ask a question, began shooting and fled in a car.
Zariah was pierced in the head, while her uncle David McCray, a documented gang member, was shot in the chest and later died, according to Chicago Police News Affairs.
"Now my daughters got to live with the fact that they just saw their uncle die right in front of their face," Muhammad said.
Activist Andrew Holmes says McCray was the likely target, but once again, another child was caught in the crossfire. Zariah is the 14th child in Chicago under the age of 11 shot since June this year.
"Right now, we're at a crisis, because it's our children. And [the victims are] getting smaller and smaller," Holmes said.
A relative said although she is recovering, she's still not safe.
"Chicago isn't a place for kids, that's for sure. If you don't have to raise them here, then get them out," Tinisha Strong, another relative of Zariah added.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel visited the family earlier Friday to show his support.
Police say no one is in custody.
