A 5-year-old girl was critically injured in a shocking road rage incident in Cary, North Carolina, after a gunman allegedly opened fire on her father’s vehicle, authorities confirmed. The young girl, identified only as Ema for privacy reasons, was struck in the leg by a bullet that ultimately lodged in her sippy cup, according to NBC affiliate WRAL.
The incident occurred along U.S. 1 between the U.S. 64 offramp and the Cary Parkway overpass. “She’s just a bundle of joy, always smiling and playing and running around. Just an angel, honestly,” said Ema’s aunt, Aubree Allison. “For something like this to happen to such a sweet and innocent child is heartbreaking.”
Following the shooting, Ema was rushed to the hospital, where she underwent several surgeries. She is expected to begin physical therapy soon as part of her recovery, WRAL reported. Police have identified 20-year-old Charles Edward Stevenson Jr. as the suspect in the case. Initially charged with discharging a weapon into an occupied property, Stevenson’s charges were upgraded on Wednesday, July 2, to assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury.
District Attorney Lorrin Freeman told The News & Observer that the upgraded charges were based on new information gathered during the investigation. Stevenson had previously been charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill in a separate case, but that charge was dismissed by the state and replaced with the new, more serious counts related to this shooting.
Court documents obtained by ABC affiliate WTVD indicate Stevenson fired a weapon into a Ford F-150 truck while Ema was riding inside with her father. The exact motive behind the act remains under investigation, but police have described it as a road rage incident.
During his initial court appearance, Judge Eagles informed Stevenson that he would be held without bond. “One of your charges was dismissed as being recharged in a different way. And so, we’ll see you tomorrow,” said the judge. “At this time, you’re going to be held with no bond on this charge.”
Stevenson appeared in court again on Thursday, July 3, where the no-bond ruling was upheld. His next scheduled court date is set for July 23. Meanwhile, the community has rallied around Ema and her family as she begins the long road to recovery from a senseless act of violence that has left many shaken.
Despite the ordeal, the girl is in “great spirits,” a GoFundMe set up by family notes. She has undergone several surgeries and will need physical therapy and counseling as a result of the incident.