DETROIT (WXYZ) — 13-year-old Damarian Johnson is in critical condition at Children's Hospital, after he was shot at a gas station Friday night on the city's west side.
It happened at the BP on 7 Mile and Telegraph. According to Johnson's family, he had just gotten pizza with his mom, stepfather, and siblings; they were waiting outside the gas station at the time of the shooting.
Johnson was buying a pop when he was shot in the head, according to his cousin.
Saturday, dozens of the 13-year-old's loved ones gathered at the BP to pray for his continued recovery.
Family tells me 13-year-old Damarian Johnson, who was shot last night at the BP on Telegraph & 7 Mile, remains in critical condition tonight @wxyzdetroit @CrimeInTheD pic.twitter.com/KA4oMhaHLr
— Jenn Schanz (@JennSchanzWXYZ) June 30, 2019
"This is not a candlelight. My cousin is alive and we're just praying for his health," said Johnson's cousin Geneice Johnson.
Family told Action News Johnson, who just graduated middle school, is showing small signs of improvement.
"He's not breathing on his own but he took a few breaths on his own. So he's fighting," said his aunt, Geneva Brathwaite.
A 23-year-old man was also shot Friday night at the gas station. Johnson's family said they don't know the man, but are hoping to connect with him or his family, in search of some answers.
Johnson doesn't know the man who shot him according to his family.
Detroit police put out a photo of the suspected shooter shortly after the shooting. A DPD spokesperson said the suspect turned himself in, after learning his photo was out there.
Johnson's family remains optimistic that he'll pull through, while still wrapping their minds around this senseless tragedy.
"It's very heartbreaking that my little cousin had to be in the wrong place at the wrong time," Johnson's cousin told Action News.
The suspected shooter is at the Detroit Detention Center. His name has not yet been released.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Johnson's family pay for medical costs.
