by Antioch, CA – An 11-year-old girl was shot in the head while sitting in her father’s SUV in Antioch, California, after authorities say a man mistook the vehicle for that of his intended target. The girl survived and is listed in stable condition at a local hospital, while the alleged shooter, 23-year-old Ryan Hardy, has been arrested.
Details of the Shooting
The incident occurred on Jan. 5 at an apartment complex on the 3900 block of Delta Fair Boulevard. Police reported that the girl, her father, and three others were sitting in the SUV preparing to exit the parking lot when a bullet shattered the passenger-side window and struck the girl in the head.
“She says, ‘Dad, why can’t I see?'” the father recounted to The Daily Mail. “It hurts me so much. Those are words I don’t think any dad could handle.”
“My family is everything to me. I feel like my heart is being ripped out,” he added.
Multiple 911 calls prompted a rapid response from officers and first responders, who met the family at a nearby shopping center and transported the girl to a hospital, where she was stabilized.
Investigation and Arrest
Through witness accounts, video surveillance, and forensic evidence, Antioch police identified Ryan Hardy as the suspect. Police indicated that several individuals allegedly assisted Hardy in evading law enforcement before he turned himself in on Monday.
Hardy has been charged with five counts of attempted murder and assault with a firearm, according to the East Bay Times. Antioch Police Department officials noted that the family was not the intended target, and a lieutenant who briefly made eye contact with the shooter did not recognize him.
Community Reaction
The shooting has left residents shocked and uneasy.
“She’s always out playing on her bike … throughout the day, you see their family there,” neighbor Donna Ford told KTVU. “Now you see no one there. It’s kind of scary.”
Antioch, located about 45 miles east of San Francisco, is part of California’s East Bay region. Community members are grappling with the aftermath of the incident, as police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Conclusion
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to cooperate as Ryan Hardy faces multiple charges in connection with the shooting. The Antioch community continues to support the injured girl and her family as they recover from this traumatic event.
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