HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (CBS12) — An 11-year-old girl shot in the head during a gunfight at a Florida McDonald’s spoke publicly for the first time Friday while recovering in Hollywood.
Dora Belen Rivera, who was struck in the head during the June 27 shooting, spoke from her hospital bed at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood. She is now recovering after undergoing emergency treatment for what doctors described as a life-threatening injury.
The shooting happened around 1:35 p.m. in the parking lot of 835 W. Hallandale Beach Boulevard, where police say Rivera and her father were innocent bystanders when gunfire erupted during an altercation between multiple people, according to previous reports. Investigators later identified 18-year-old Ralph N-Kosi Blue III as the alleged shooter and arrested him on multiple felony charges.
See also: Mom of 16 leads Tequesta’s Freedom 4 Miler race to honor fallen heroes and their families
Rivera’s father was also shot in the hip during the incident but has since been released from the hospital. Two younger children, ages 2 and 5, were also inside the vehicle at the time but were not hurt.
Speaking publicly for the first time in a news conference, Rivera expressed gratitude to her care team and first responders.
“Thank you for everything. Thank you for the police. Thank you for the firefighters. Thank you for the doctors,” she said.
Her care team at Joe DiMaggio said her recovery has been remarkable given the severity of her injuries.
Dr. Wendy Carcamo, a pediatric critical care intensivist at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, said Rivera arrived in critical condition and required coordinated treatment from multiple surgical and intensive care teams.
“Our teams worked effortlessly to take care of her and get her to this point,” Carcamo said. “She does have a long road ahead of her and will continue to require therapy.”
Rivera said she feels grateful to still be alive.
“It feels like I have another chance,” she said.
—