A heartbreaking case from California has left a family shattered after an 11-year-old girl was shot in the head while sitting inside her father’s SUV. Police say the child was not the intended target, making the incident even more disturbing. The accused has now turned himself in, but the young girl faces a long and painful road to recovery.
A child shot while sitting in a parked SUV
The incident happened on January 5 at an apartment complex on the 3900 block of Delta Fair Boulevard in Antioch, located in the East Bay area of California. A father, his 11-year-old daughter, and three other people were inside their vehicle, preparing to exit the parking lot, when a bullet suddenly pierced the passenger-side window. The shot struck the young girl in the head.
Multiple witnesses immediately called 911. Officers and first responders met the family at a nearby shopping centre and worked quickly to save the child’s life. She was rushed to a local hospital and initially listed in stable condition. However, the emotional and physical impact of the shooting has been devastating.
Police say family was not the intended target
Investigators believe the family was not the shooter’s intended target. According to Antioch police, evidence gathered from witness statements, surveillance footage, and forensic findings led them to identify 23-year-old Ryan Hardy as the suspect.
At first, detectives did not know where Hardy was, and they stated that several people had helped him avoid arrest. Police later made a public appeal urging him to surrender. Earlier this week, Hardy turned himself in to authorities.
He has now been charged with five counts of attempted murder and assault with a firearm. The investigation is still ongoing, and more details may emerge as the case moves through the court system.
Family’s life changed forever
A GoFundMe page created to support the family describes the incident as a senseless act of violence that has permanently altered their lives. The fundraiser states that the girl is currently in the ICU, where doctors are doing everything possible to support her recovery and help her regain quality of life.
The update shares that the child can hear her loved ones and respond by moving parts of her body when spoken to. However, she has reportedly lost 100% of her vision. Her medical future is uncertain, and she is expected to need long-term treatment, therapy, and emotional support.
The fundraiser also explains that the trauma extends beyond the victim. Before the suspect was arrested, the family lived in fear of retaliation and no longer felt safe returning to their home.
A father’s pain in his own words
The girl’s father spoke emotionally about the moment he realised the extent of his daughter’s injuries. In an interview, he recalled his daughter asking, “Dad, why can’t I see?” He said the words broke his heart and described the experience as unbearable for any parent.
He shared that his family means everything to him and that the pain feels like his heart is being torn apart. His words reflect the deep emotional wound left by an act of violence that was never meant for his family.
Community shaken by the shooting
Neighbours and community members in Antioch are struggling to process what happened. One neighbour said the girl was often seen playing outside on her bike and that the family was a familiar presence in the area. Since the incident, the home has been quiet, which many find unsettling and sad.
A local police lieutenant also shared that he briefly made eye contact with the shooter during the incident but did not recognise him at the time. This detail has added to the shock felt across the community.
