Little Ava was at the mall with her mum when she was shot.
A 9-year-old girl has been shot while waiting in line to meet the Easter bunny.
The incident took place at a shopping mall in Victorville, California.
Victorville Police Department said the shooting took place on Tuesday, April 12th at around 6.30 pm.
A shop owner was chasing two men when he accidentally shot little Ava. He aimed his gun at two shoplifters but ended up shooting 9-year-old Ava.
The suspect has been identified as 20-year-old Marqel Cockrell, who co-owns a shoe store in the mall.
The 20-year-old fled the scene but was later found in his car.
Police stated, “Cockrell was booked in at the Clark County Jail on an extraditable warrant, for attempted murder, in the amount of $1,000,000.”
Ava was rushed to the hospital but is luckily in a stable condition.
Her mother Natalie has set up a special fundraiser for her daughter.
Natalie said no child should ever have to experience such a horrific incident, never mind being the victim of one.
She wrote, “My daughter Ava was shot on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, by an active shooter in Victorville mall. She is just 9 years old, no little girl deserves this!
“No child deserves this. She was at the mall going for Easter pictures with the bunny.”
Her mother described her as a sweet and loving girl, who loves to read.
Ava suffered two gunshot wounds and has also broken her arm, her mother confirmed.
“We would really love any donations to help our baby girl with her recovery journey,” her mum shared.
Her mum said Ava deserves justice.
