MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A 6-year-old boy is in the hospital after being shot outside a North Memphis apartment complex Thursday night, according to police and family.
Neighbors say another child could have also been shot when a bullet flew through his family’s apartment.
“I try to take no days for granted. Every day is a blessing,” one neighbor told WREG.
The father of three is grateful he and his family are OK after that suspect opened fire outside Goodwill Villages apartments at Peres and Merton around 10 p.m. — a complex filled with children.
He was at work when he found out.
“I heard about what happened and I immediately came home,” he said. “I wanted to check on my own children.”
But one of his neighbors wasn’t so lucky.
The victim’s aunt told WREG off camera that her 6-year-old nephew was shot in the leg.
“Oh, it’s definitely scary because a bullet doesn’t have any name on it,” the neighbor said. “Just to know your life could be taken just like that, and not even knowing why or when.”
The boy’s aunt says her nephew was sitting in the car with his parents when it happened.
They drove to a gas station a few miles away for help.
Another neighbor says a bullet flew right through her son’s bedroom wall just minutes after she put him to bed.
WREG spotted what appear to be three bullet holes in their apartment wall.
“An innocent child. I feel like, if people are gonna shoot people, shoot your target! Stop shooting aimlessly,” the neighbor said. “Get your target, don’t just be hitting random people, ‘cause it could be your children or anybody’s children.”
The boy’s aunt says he had to undergo surgery overnight, but is expected to pull through.
She says they know the man who did it, but so far, police haven’t released his name or description.
