Caught in the crossfire of bullets meant for her older cousin, a seven-year-old girl is fighting for life at a local hospital.
A bullet pierced her chin, separated her airway, and went through her spinal cord before exiting the back of her neck.
Chlo’ee Williams is breathing with the aid of a ventilator.
Chlo’ee’s spinal cord is seriously damaged and it is not known if she will be paralyzed permanently.
Leronisha Williams, Chlo’ee’s mother told the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate:
“I don’t have words for the person who did this to my baby,” Williams said “Anybody who would shoot up a yard where a kid is painting is heartless. They don’t care about themselves or anyone else.”
Leronisha is at her daughter’s side and says she will stay there.
Chlo’ee was working on a painting in the front yard of her home in St. Roch when gunmen showed up looking for her 15-year-old cousin.
They opened fire indiscriminately, missing the person they were looking for and hitting both Chlo’ee’s cousin and hitting the little girl.
A Go Fund Me campaign set up to pay medical costs is requesting $150,000 and has raised $4,000 so far.
“I have to be strong for her,” Williams said. “They’re taking it one step at a time … and they keep telling me to take it one day at a time.”
New Orleans Police are asking for the public’s help in find those responsible. They’re asking anyone with information about the case to contact Crimestoppers anonymously. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.