The Bravery and Selfless Love of 7-year-old Alexis, Shot 6 Times while protecting her Mother
"What a courageous, courageous little girl."
(Detroit, MI)—Seven-year-old Alexis Goggins is being hailed as a hero, as she maintains stable condition, although drifting in and out of consciousness in the Detroit Children's Hospital.
Alexis saved her mother's life.
The trauma began last week, when 30-year-old Selietha Parker, and her daughter Alexis, were about to be picked up by a family friend—Aisha Ford—because they had no heat where they were. But as Parker and her daughter were about to get into her vehicle, an ex-boyfriend of Parker's came up and ordered them into the car at gunpoint, telling Ford to drive to Six Mile Road.
Stalling for time, Ford stopped to get gas, and called 911 on her cell phone as she went in to pay. The ex-boyfriend, Calvin Tillie (a convicted felon), became impatient and began to fire shots at Parker, still in the car.
That's when Parker's little girl courageously sprang into action, propelling herself over the seats, and between her mother and the assailant. Reports said, Tillie, "without hesitation pumped six shots into the child."
Police arrived and apprehended the gunman, and rushed little Alexis to the hospital. She is in and out of consciousness, but in stable condition.
Detroit Public Schools attendance agent, Marvin Bodley, remarked on the 7-year-old's condition, saying it was miraculous that she survived the attack. "What a courageous, courageous little girl," he said. "You see more bandages than child. It's a horrific sight."
According to the Detroit News, a "Hero's Trust Fund" has been set up to pay for Alexis' medical needs. Checks should be made out to the: Alexis Goggins Hero Fund, and sent to Campbell Elementary School in care of the Alexis Goggins Hero Fund, 2301 E Alexandrine St, Detroit, MI 48207. For information, call (313) 494-2052.
Dr. Alveda King, Pastoral Associate of Priests for Life, and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., commented on the bravery of the little girl. "Praise God that Alexis is alive, and praise God that He brought this little girl into the world. She is a living lesson on the meaning of love," said Dr. King. "Alexis suffered a stroke as an infant and needs special help in school. She's what some would call disabled with a lesser quality of life; the kind of child who, if similar difficulties are found before birth, is often aborted these days. But as bad as Alexis' physical injuries and disabilities may be now, she is more beautiful than ever. She did what so many of us are unable to do at crucial moments. She acted selflessly so that another could live."
"The greatest disability is the inability to love," added Dr. King. "We need to follow Alexis' example. We need to love."
