12News spoke with the father and grandmother of 4-year-old Qahsiem Sinclair, who was shot in the face outside a townhome in Phoenix.
PHOENIX — A four-year-old boy who was shot in the face in Phoenix is expected to be okay, but the suspect remains at large.
RELATED: Toddler wounded in Phoenix shooting
12News spoke with both 4-year-old Qahsiem Sinclair’s father and grandmother.
They claim the motive behind the shooting is jealousy, and they want the suspects brought to justice as fast as possible.
“He’s doing good,” said Meishaq Sinclair, Qahsiem’s father. “He’s still in shock. He really… don’t know what’s going on too much… but taking it day by day.”
Sinclair’s father shared photos with us and said it’s amazing he survived after getting shot in the face Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s still early, still fresh, so… you know, it’s tragic,” he said. “It sucks, but I’m just glad my son is still here.”
And now, after undergoing surgery at Valleywise Health, he’s recovering.
“He can’t talk… he’s missing teeth… yeah… shot my son’s teeth, so he can’t really communicate, but he’s trying to,” said Sinclair.
The boy’s father and grandmother spoke with 12News outside the ER.
“I don’t think he understands what happened,” said Laresha Mason, Qahsiem’s grandmother. “He knows that he got shot, and of course, he says that he got shot, but I don’t think he understands the magnitude of everything.”
Surveillance video shows a person with a gun standing outside one of the homes near 29th Street and Wier Avenue on Tuesday afternoon, and then you hear what sounds like a gunshot.
The video then shows the person getting into a car and leaving.
The 4-year-old’s father said he believes the woman who fired that shot showed up armed, after threatening his brother, but instead, his son came to the door hoping to go outside to scooter and suffered the unthinkable.
“It happened to be my son right there, about to leave out the house with his scooter and she still did what she did. She seen the kid right there and she still decided to do what she did,” said Sinclair.
His son was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
“We need justice for Qahsiem as soon as possible,” he said.
And until then, they will continue to comfort him.
“I just tell him you’re going to be okay, you’re strong,” he said. “Every day he says he’s strong, ‘look at my muscles,’ he kisses his muscles, and so, I just remind him… You are strong, you’re still here for a reason, like he’s gifted, that’s my baby, he’s going to be alright.”
At this time, police are still searching for suspects. Police have not disclosed how many individuals they are looking for.
Investigators initially thought the incident stemmed from domestic violence, but they are now saying that may not be the case.
Police are aware of a video related to the incident that was posted online.
If you have any information, you’re asked to call the police or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
The family is hoping to raise money to help with medical expenses. For more information, go to the fundraiser website.
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere, thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program, “Arizona Midday”—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for “12 News KPNX.”
Amazon Fire TV: Search for “12 News KPNX” to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.