MILWAUKEE — A plea for peace from one of Milwaukee's youngest victims of gun violence.
"Stop, you can put the guns down and stop shooting kids," said seven-year-old Kamirion Smith.
He was hit by a stray bullet while in the back seat of a car near 5th and Concordia on May 16th. A 45-year-old man has been charged in the shooting. He faces more than 50 years in prison.
Smith is now out of the hospital, but still has a long road to recovery.
He's one of at least 15 children in Milwaukee injured by gunfire this year. That is a haunting number with very real consequences.
Smith's left leg had to be amputated. The bullet also pierced his intestines and colon. He went through eight surgeries.
"I just thank God that he's here," his mom, Delilah, said. "This has been horrible. No one should have to go through this. We are still traumatized. There are nights that I stay up because I can't sleep and just look at him."
Delilah was in the car when Kamirion was shot.
"I heard a a pow, pow, pow, and saw my baby jump up and flinch," she said. "I took my shirt off, and took his shirt, and was using them as a compression on the gunshot wound. I just kept telling him to stay with me. That he was going to be okay."
Knowing 14 other kids have also been injured by gunfire in Milwaukee this year makes Delilah sick.
"These are innocent babies that have nothing to do with what's going on out there," she said. "Guns need to be put down. This is a scary situation. We need to come together and do something to stop this."
Her focus is now on her son's recovery.
"I just want him to live a normal life," she said. "I want him to know that he can still do whatever he wants or puts his mind to, even with one leg."
Kamirion said he wants to be a doctor when he grows up.
"So, I can help little kids feel better," he said.
A beautiful sentiment from a little boy who just endured so much.
