In a harrowing incident in Mesquite, Texas, a one-year-old child and his father became the unintended victims of a drive-by shooting on Sunday evening. This tragic event has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the grim reality of gun violence.
The shooting occurred shortly after 7 p.m. CST, as reported by the Mesquite Police Department. The Dallas Morning News detailed that the toddler and his 28-year-old father were at the family home when they were caught in the gunfire. Maria Arellano, the child’s grandmother, recounted the terrifying moment to KXAS-TV, initially mistaking the gunshots for fireworks, a common occurrence on December 31st.
The intensity of the situation became clear when the family realized that both the father and the child had been struck. Police described the ordeal, stating that a bullet grazed the father’s neck before striking the back of the boy’s head and then ricocheting away. Despite the horrific nature of their injuries, both the father and son are expected to make full recoveries.
According to Arellano, her son, the child’s father, has been discharged from the hospital. However, her grandson remains hospitalized at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, where he is being treated for minor bruising on his head. The emotional toll of the incident is evident, with Arellano sharing how her grandson, deeply affected by the trauma, longs for the comfort of his mother and often wakes up crying.
In their investigation, Mesquite police found nine shell casings near the area, a grim testament to the severity of the incident. The motive and the intended target of the shooting remain unclear, leaving investigators to piece together this senseless act of violence.
Mesquite police Lt. Brandon Ricketts conveyed the sentiment felt by many, describing the incident as “every parent’s worst nightmare.” The community now holds its breath, hoping for justice and answers in this ongoing investigation.