A five-year-old girl from North Carolina has become the innocent victim of a terrifying road rage incident that left her with a bullet lodged in her leg.
The shooter, Charles Stevenson Jr., is facing serious charges after allegedly opening fire on a father and his daughter during rush hour traffic, with the bullet hitting the little girl and getting stuck in her sippy cup.
The event has shocked the community, and the young girl is now recovering from multiple surgeries while her family grapples with the emotional impact of this senseless violence.
The Road Rage Incident
On Monday, during rush hour traffic on U.S. 1 between the U.S. 64 offramp and Cary Parkway, Charles Stevenson Jr., 20, reportedly became involved in a road rage altercation with another driver.
According to the father of the five-year-old girl, Stevenson threw an object at the other motorist’s car, which ended up hitting the father’s vehicle instead. In response, the father rolled down his window and yelled at Stevenson, which allegedly led to Stevenson pulling out a gun and firing a shot at the father.
Tragically, the bullet missed the father but struck the young girl, Ema, who was sitting in the back seat of the Ford F-150. The bullet went through her leg and ended up lodged in her sippy cup.
“They found the bullet in her sippy cup,” said Ema’s mother, Gina, in an interview with WRAL. This heart-wrenching moment left the family shaken, but the young girl has shown remarkable strength in the face of such a traumatic event.
The Aftermath and Charges
Following the incident, Ema was rushed to the hospital, where she underwent multiple surgeries and will need physical therapy to recover. Despite the horrifying nature of the incident, her mother reported that Ema remains in good spirits, displaying incredible resilience during her recovery.
Meanwhile, Charles Stevenson Jr. was arrested and charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, and discharging a firearm into occupied property. His initial charge of assault with a deadly weapon was upgraded when he appeared in court for his bond hearing.
Wake County Judge Margaret Eagles informed Stevenson that one of his charges had been refiled with an upgraded charge and that he would be held without bond. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident.
Community Reaction and Support
The incident has deeply affected the local community, with many expressing outrage at the senseless violence that put an innocent child in harm’s way. Ema’s aunt, Aubree Allison, told local NBC affiliate WRAL, “What an image that is. It’s nothing that you hope happens in your own life.”
The family has received an outpouring of support, with a GoFundMe set up to assist with medical bills and recovery. The page highlights the “heartbreaking” nature of the incident and praises Ema’s strength as she recovers.
The Ongoing Legal Battle
As Stevenson faces his charges in court, the road rage incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of reckless driving and the unpredictable consequences of road rage.
The impact of his actions will likely continue to affect not only the family of the young girl but also others in the community who have been touched by this tragic event. The case is ongoing, and Stevenson will likely face serious consequences if convicted of the charges against him.
This horrifying road rage incident in North Carolina has left a young child severely injured, and her family devastated by the trauma. Ema’s recovery journey is only just beginning, and while her family remains hopeful, the emotional scars of the event will last far beyond her physical healing.
Charles Stevenson Jr. now faces serious legal charges, and his actions serve as a grim reminder of the consequences of road rage. The family’s strength in the face of such a tragedy is inspiring, and the community continues to rally behind them during this difficult time.
