The parents of a 5-month-old baby who was shot and killed in Cleveland Thursday spoke to newsnet5.com's Megan Hickey.
This morning, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office identified baby Aavielle Wakefield as the latest young victim of gun violence on Cleveland’s east side.
The child’s mother, Ieshia Wakefield, said she was driving her family to the grocery store when several gunshots were fired at her car.
“The only thing I could think of was hitting the gas pedal and trying to save my family,” Wakefield said. “The first person I thought of was my baby. And she didn't make it.”
Wakefield’s mother-in-law, eight-year-old daughter and baby Aavielle were in the car at the time.
According to the family, a bullet entered through the back door, through the car seat and hit the baby in the chest.
“I picked her up and she was gasping for her life,” Wakefield said, choking back tears. “It just hurts… because why do this? For what?”
Aavielle’s father, Charles Wakefield, said he believes his car was mistaken for someone else’s.
He said he does not know who the shooter was.
“You always just want to know why,” he said. “It happened for a reason, that’s all I can say.”
Avielle’s middle name is Neveah, which is “Heaven” spelled backwards. Her family said that’s where their baby girl is waiting right now.
"She right here, right now," her father said. "And she’s gonna be here till I can get to where she at."
"Mommy's gonna be strong," said the mother, "and I know she's watching over us. Let me stay strong for her. I know God has her right now."
---
Follow newsnet5.com on Facebook and Twitter
Follow @WEWS
Download the newsnet5 app:
- Apple
- Android
- Kindle
