A 20-year-old man in North Carolina is facing serious charges after allegedly opening fire on a father and his young daughter during a road rage incident. The incident, which occurred in Raleigh on Monday, sent a bullet through the girl’s leg and into her sippy cup, narrowly missing a worse outcome.
The shocking details of the attack have left the community stunned and devastated.
The Road Rage Incident
Charles Stevenson Jr., a Raleigh resident, is accused of firing a shot at a father and his 5-year-old daughter, Ema, while they were driving in their Ford F-150 along U.S. 1 near the Cary Parkway overpass.
According to police, Stevenson had been driving erratically and was involved in an earlier altercation with another motorist. The situation escalated when Stevenson threw an object at the other driver’s vehicle, which accidentally hit the F-150.
The father, angry about the situation, rolled down his window and began yelling at Stevenson. In response, Stevenson allegedly fired a single shot at the car, hitting Ema in the leg. The bullet then lodged in her sippy cup.
The Victim’s Family Reacts
The victim’s family is still coming to terms with the incident. Ema’s mother, Gina, spoke to local news outlet WRAL, saying, “They found the bullet in her sippy cup.” She further described Stevenson’s actions, claiming he was trying to run other cars off the road.
“It’s nothing that you hope happens in your own life,” said Aubree Allison, Ema’s aunt, expressing the heartbreak and shock the family feels.
The young girl was immediately rushed to the hospital and has undergone several surgeries. Doctors say that she will need physical therapy to recover from the severe injury. Despite the traumatic experience, the family reports that Ema remains in good spirits and is showing remarkable strength as she heals.
Legal Charges and Court Appearance
Charles Stevenson Jr. is facing multiple felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, and discharging a firearm into occupied property.
Initially, Stevenson was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, but prosecutors upgraded the charge by the time he appeared in court. During his bond hearing on Wednesday, Wake County Judge Margaret Eagles stated that Stevenson would be held without bond.
The Community’s Response
The shooting has shocked the Raleigh community, with many expressing disbelief over the senseless violence. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Ema’s family, and it highlights the gravity of the situation, stating, “This innocent little girl did not deserve this.”
The campaign further notes, “Despite this unimaginable ordeal, she remains in great spirits and is showing incredible strength as she recovers in the hospital.”
This road rage incident serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the potential dangers of aggressive driving and reckless behavior. The family of Ema has already faced an unimaginable ordeal, and while the road to recovery will be long, the outpouring of support from the community offers some hope.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case highlights the urgent need for greater awareness and responsibility on the roads.
