MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County deputies are investigating after a nine-year-old child was shot and wounded Sunday evening.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said the child was inside a home on Fox Valley Road and was struck by a bullet fired from outside.
The victim’s family told WREG’s Jonee Lewis the child was shot in the shoulder. He was taken to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital where he had to undergo surgery. He was last reported in stable condition.
Family members who didn’t want to be identified because they’re afraid say that bullet went from their fence and into the back of the house which hit a nine-year-old boy who was sitting inside the home on Fox Valley Road.
““He began to bleed like a lot and we didn’t know what it was. He was shot through the front and then the bullet got stuck back behind his spine,” said the family.
The family added, “It’s very scary. It not something you would think would happen. It’s not something I thought would happen to my family, especially around 8:00 at night.”
According to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital more than 90 children have been shot this year and 7 since the beginning of this month.
This little boy is expected to recover at least physically but that’s not always the case.
“There’s a lot of people that get shot and they don’t make it so for him to be able to make it through something like that is really a blessing, and I just can’t thank God enough for letting him survive that,” said the family.
Neighbors said they are concerned about the violence that seems to be spreading closer and closer to home.
“To be inside your house where you’re supposed to actually feel your solace, to have somebody to shoot it up, it’s just unspeakable,” said Tammy Britt.
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The sheriff’s office said its investigation is ongoing and is asking anyone with information about the shooting to call Crime Stoppers at (901) 528-CASH.