CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The family of a 10-year-old South Side girl, who was shot in a park near her home in the South Shore neighborhood, was surprised Wednesday by activists bearing gifts.
La’Mya Sparks spent two months in the hospital after she was shot in the back while playing in the park with friends. She was recently sent home to continue her recovery.
The shy girl came to the door in pajamas Wednesday morning, along with her mother, to see Christmas presents piled on the front porch.
She said she felt good, and it didn’t hurt seeing activist Andrew Holmes and others making a gesture as strangers, bringing a TV, coats, toys, and stuffed animals for La'Mya, her two sisters, and their mother, Shawnta Williams.
Holmes was brought to tears, speaking to members of the press before delivering the gifts.
"I know what children of this age are like. And I know what that mother is going through, because I lost my own daughter, but I’m happy to see that she’s got hers," he said. "I know the pain she would have went through.
"I am going to work through my daughter's spirit to give back this mother, because she could have easily been in my shoes. My daughter, I can't do Christmas for her, but I can do it for this baby."
La’Mya’s mother said she's just happy her daughter survived.
"I am very thankful. After everything she has went through, like this is great. I really appreciate it. The past couple of months was a lot. I never thought anything like that would happen to one of my kids," Williams said.
She said she is concerned about her daughter's long-term mental health.
Holmes said police have the name of the young man who fired the shots. He said police are building a case and it will only be a matter of time.