HOUSTON – A Houston baby is still “fighting for his life” after he was accidentally shot in the head by police units.
The 19-year-old mother, Daisha Smalls, explained she was at a gas station around 11:30 p.m. on March 3 with her 1-year-old son, Legend in the backseat.
A suspect currently under pursuit crashed his black Mercedes and jumped into her car where she was sitting in the driver’s seat. The man attempted to steal her vehicle.
“I wouldn’t give him my car because I let him know that I have a child in my car and that I would not leave my car without my son,” Smalls said in a press conference.
Moments later authorities showed up at the scene and began firing shots striking the suspect and hitting Legend in the head.
“My son has been fighting every day for his life,” Smalls said. “He’s struggling to breathe on his own. My baby didn’t deserve it. I miss my son. I want him to be back the way he used to be.”
Since the shooting, Legend has had a portion of his skull removed to reduce swelling to his brain and has been placed on a ventilator for at least 10 days.
In response to the shooting, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo stated after the press conference that the officer, whose identity has not been revealed, fired “fearing for the mother’s safety.”
Acevedo and his executive assistant chief Troy Finner have gone to the hospital to check on Legend.
Houston Police Department