'Poor child': Internet shocked by video showing 9-year-old taking cover in house amid drive-by shooting
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS: A recent video footage depicts the perilous situation a child faced during a drive-by shooting in Fort Worth earlier this month on May 2.
Bullets penetrated the family home where 9-year-old Errol Hill ran for cover amid the shooting that occurred outside.
Security camera footage from inside the residence shows the child taking cover as bullets riddle the living room. The shooting resulted in injuries to six individuals, including four children.
Notably, the ages of the injured range from 3 to 19, and the shooter has not yet been captured.
What did Errol Hill's family report?
After the shooting, Errol recounted, "It came through the wall; I thought it was just fireworks, but when I heard the screams, I looked outside."
The family of the boy, who also have two other children, said the incident has left them deeply distressed, prompting them to consider relocating as they feel the neighborhood is no longer safe for their children, per WFLA.
The boy's mother, Mary Jane Gonzales, said, "So I made sure he was fine, came out here to see where exactly they shot, and as I was out here, I heard all the families downstairs yelling, I heard all the families downstairs yelling."
Gonzales, who works as a medical assistant, attempted to assist the six wounded victims outside her home, including a 3-year-old who she said was "going in and out of consciousness."
"It forever changed our life. We are traumatized," Gonzales remarked. "I’ve never seen anyone get shot, let alone a child. I’ve never had to experience that.”
The family had signed a new lease for the apartment complex just weeks before the shooting; however, they are now seeking assistance to relocate from the area.
GoFundMe raised for Mary Jane Gonzales' family
Mary Jane Gonzales has launched a GoFundMe campaign to relocate from the unsafe area.
She emphasized the lack of action taken to repair the bullet hole, "Despite reaching out to the apartment management, they have not taken action to repair the bullet holes or address our safety concerns. With full-time work and school commitments, we never imagined having to find a new home on such short notice, especially after just signing a year-long lease."
She concluded, "Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a huge difference in our lives. Your generosity will help us heal from this trauma and start anew. Thank you for standing with us during this challenging time."
As of Wednesday, May 15, $3,000 has been raised towards the $5,000 goal, with 78 donations
Internet dubs Errol Hill 'poor child' amid drive-by shooting
As the viral video spread across the internet, numerous users offered condolences and referred to the 9-year-old child as a "poor soul."
One user wrote, "My GOD. Poor child and his animals....the World desperately needs a reset button!"
Another claimed, "This is one of the worst things I have ever seen, I can't even get my head around it. What has happened to this world and people, it's simply the end. Praying for the victims. "
The third wrote, "Only a total coward would do a drive by. You have beef with someone, be a (wo)man and confront them face to face. Then face whatever consequences that come with it."
The fourth said, "It's going to get much worse, all over the country. The cartel is here and there's more coming. Thanks, Joey and those calling the shots."
The last said, "Poor soul. Traumatizing," as per DailyMail.
