A 2-year-old girl was caught in the crossfire of a shooting earlier this month that left two dead and two others with serious injuries, now she is recovering in a hospital bed a week later.
The girl was reportedly struck while going on her daily walk with her day care class, and she was still in the ICU as of Thursday afternoon. Her mother said it was only the second week she was at the facility after she was hesitant to enroll her.
"I have cared for Baby Emily since she was born and this is literally her second week being in a daycare facility," Priscilla Johns said. "Because of me being a first time mom and I was nervous to place her in any facility until my Baby Emily was able to talk and able to have full sentences."
The midday quadruple shooting remains under investigation, and the two survivors are still being evaluated and treated for serious injuries at area hospitals.
Her mother has taken a temporary leave from work to care for the toddler, and now the community has rallied around the family, raising more than $15,000 in two days since a fundraising campaign was set up.
She has also called for an end to the gun violence in DC.
"It's the community ... This reckless violence needs to cease, and my daughter Emily is a victim of this tragedy that has taken place," she said. "I am going to have loss wages and bills will still come and (we) will need all the support."
A GoFundMe for the family can be found here.
Want breaking news in the DMV as it happens, or want to contribute? Join the DMV All Incidents Facebook group.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Takoma Park and receive free news updates.