Last updated: July 26, 2012
First published: July 26, 2012
Article written by Brett M. Christensen
Research by David White, Brett Christensen
About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer
DETROIT -- A 7-year-old-girl is being hailed as an "angel from heaven" and a hero for jumping in front of an enraged gunman, who pumped six bullets into the child as she used her body as a shield to save her mother's life.
Alexis Goggins, a first-grader at Campbell Elementary School, is in stable condition at Children's Hospital in Detroit recovering from gunshot wounds to the eye, left temple, chin, cheek, chest and right arm.
"She is an angel from heaven," said Aisha Ford, a family friend for 15 years who also was caught up in the evening of terror.
The attacker was a former boyfriend of Alexis's mother Selietha Parker. Selietha was also shot twice in the attack. The gunman Calvin Tillie, was arrested and disarmed by police at the scene. Both mother and daughter survived, although Alexis sustained serious injuries and has endured hospitalization and ongoing surgery to aid her recovery. An April 2011 news update about the case reports:
DETROIT (WXYZ) - It’s a bond between mother and daughter most people could never understand. When Alexis Goggins was just seven years-old she took six bullets as she tried to protect her mom, Selietha Parker.
"She was hit in the eye and now she is blind in the right eye. She was hit in the face and in her arms," Parker told Action News.
That was three years ago. Seven surgeries later, including an operation to put in an artificial eye, and Alexis is making a miraculous recovery.
"Everybody says wow - this kid walked away from something like that. It's a blessing," Parker said
Alexis is reportedly doing well although she continues to undergo treatment for her injuries.
Last updated: July 26, 2012
First published: July 26, 2012
Article written by Brett M. Christensen
Research by David White, Brett Christensen
About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer