HOUSTON — A big community fish fry and barbeque was held for Calvin "CJ" Jackson Jr. on Friday, hoping to raise enough money to put toward his medical bills.
“...I know people care, but seeing it makes the feeling even more better and greater," CJs mother Deshaydarion Davis Jackson said.
On March 26, the 10-year-old was caught in the crossfire of a gunfight while playing outside an apartment complex near Tidwell Road and CE King Parkway in northeast Houston. He remains in the hospital, continuing to fight for his life.
"One of the bullets grazed his spinal cord, chipped away part of his bone so he had no feeling in his right leg," Riston said. "He can't walk on that right leg. He has to have help walking on that right leg.”
READ: ‘Very disturbing situation’ | 10-year-old boy fighting for his life after being shot, sheriff says
One step at a time is how the brave 10-year-old is spending his days in recovery after having to undergo yet another surgery just two days ago.
"...to drain the fluid out of his lungs, and he had to drain the fluid from his pelvis and they had to aspirate his liver," Jackson said.
The past three and a half weeks have been exhausting for CJ's family, but the community fish fry offered them a small escape.
“Every time I hear gunshots, it keeps bringing back memories to the night when my grandbaby got shot," Riston said.
While it's been a lot for those who love CJ, they're finding strength through faith knowing love and time heal all.
"Hey, we know God got us, we covered in the blood of Jesus, so we know he’s going to walk again," Riston said.
The person who shot CJ has still not been caught. Anyone with information on the shooter is urged to call the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
The family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover CJ's medical expenses.