CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – An innocent girl is recovering in the hospital after she was hit by a bullet in a drive-by shooting Monday night.
Four-year-old Aryanna Odoms had to undergo several surgeries.
Friday night, a group dedicated to stopping violence in the Charlotte community made a very special visit.RELATED: 2 charged in NC drive-by shooting that injured 4-year-old girl
Aryanna is a strong 4-year-old little girl. She survived the drive-by shooting in Shelby and she continues to show that strength. Team TruBlue saw it first-hand.
Team TruBlue gathered many gifts to give to the little girl, who is still wearing a hospital gown at Levine’s Childrens Hospital in Charlotte. The organization’s mission is to stop the violence and to support victims of violence.
“God is always in control, He is,” Irma Gardner said. Gardner is a Team TruBlue member and Campbell is Aryanna’s “auntie.”
Her auntie was there to greet the well-wishers. She explained why Friday was a good day for a visit.
“She was in a lot of pain yesterday. She couldn’t eat, couldn’t drink… but today she’s alert,” Campbell said. “She’s up. They were able to take the tube out today she’s [drank] some apple juice.”
Toys and clothes came pouring out of gift bags at the foot of the little girl’s bed. It was Team TruBlue’s way of showing their support.
“This was a major ordeal that she went through. We wanted to bring a smile to her face,” Gardener explained.RELATED: 4-year-old girl injured in NC drive-by shooting
At first Aryanna appeared to be overwhelmed.
“Hello, there’s a smile,” said Aryanna’s grandmother.
Her grandparents have been by her side throughout her hospital stay. They take the “stop the violence” message to heart.
“She’s really suffering and going through this for no reason,” said Aryanna’s grandfather, Stedman Smith.
They say as long as she’s alright they’ll be alright.
“They couldn’t thank us enough for showing up. It was like today was a great day for us to come there,” said Will Adams of Team TruBlue.
Team TruBlue wants the violence that hurt her to end.
“These children shouldn’t be at war sitting in their home. We have to get together as a community, us or whomever and stick with and get behind each other. Stop these things that are going on everyday,” said Charles Robinson.
“But the good thing, the miracle is she’s still alive. So nobody but God. Nobody but God,” said Irma Gardner.
When they left, Aryanna did raise her hand to wave goodbye.
The family says they are looking for a new place to live. When they leave the hospital they want to be able to take Aryanna to a new home. They don’t know when she’ll be able to go home.
Four men have been charged with the shooting and investigators say they are still searching for one man.