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Father of child shot watching fireworks describes terrifying violence

Posted at 7:32 PM, Jun 22, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-22 19:32:25-04

DETROIT (WXYZ) — You can see the Father’s Day balloon up at a house on Plainview not far from Evergreen in Detroit. There a family gathered to celebrate the holiday on Sunday.

“We had a Father’s Day dinner. I had all my sons and my nephew over for Father’s Day,” said Hedy Lewis. Hedy Lewis says her grandson’s friend joined the family with his two children and offered to set off fireworks. Her nephew walked outside with 9-year-old Dior Nelson to watch.

“So I called my daughter over here, come on let’s go look at the fireworks. As soon as I step down I see the guy shooting. Shooting this way,” said Terrance Nelson.

He says he tried to shield his daughter, but she got shot in the arm.

“She wasn’t even crying. She said my arm feel like it broke. She is strong as heck. I couldn’t believe it. At the hospital they couldn’t believe she wasn’t crying," he said.

His daughter Dior is nine-years-old. She is now home recovering. Detroit Police however say both the 37-year-old man setting off the fireworks and his 10-year-old daughter are in critical condition.

“I would like to know if she is okay,” said Nelson.

“Emergency had to revive her at least five times. She was shot we heard three times,” said Lewis.

“It is a nightmare. It is a nightmare,” said Barbara Venoy, Dior’s grandma. Detroit Police tell 7 action news they are not releasing details on the investigation at this time, but they are following leads. The dad we spoke to says he wants the man to face justice for putting his daughter in the middle of violence.

Witnesses said the shooter had on a gray hoodie and flip flops. He ran from the scene after the shooting. Detroit Police say if you have info call Crimestoppers at 1-800 SPEAK UP. All calls are anonymous.