Suspect in Chapel Hill drive-by shooting that critically injured child faces judge
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- The suspected gunman in a Christmas day shooting that critically injured a 1-year-old girl outside a Chapel Hill apartment, appeared in court Monday.
Police arrested 22-year-old Shaquille Oneill Davis Sunday as he was getting into a car in Durham and charged him with attempted first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
WATCH: Suspect apologizes on camera to victim's family
ABC11's cameras were rolling when Davis apologized to the family after he was taken into custody.
His arrest came the same day the mother of the 1-year-old, who was shot while in her mom's arms, called for the gunman to turn himself in.
The emotional and desperate plea for justice came from Tylena Williams and her family outside UNC Children's Hospital where Maleah Williams remains in critical condition. Maleah's family told ABC11 Sunday that she underwent two surgeries after being shot in the head.
RELATED: Chapel Hill mom of critically injured baby speaks about shooter
Through sobs, Williams described what happened on Christmas Day around 5:40 p.m. outside Maleah's godparents' apartment in the 700 block of Trinity Court in Chapel Hill.
She said under the watch of several adults, about 10 children were running around, playing with their new Christmas toys. Williams said she was holding Maleah when she saw a car drive through the parking lot, then back up a hill before stopping near a set of dumpsters. She said a man inside the car started spraying bullets into the yard down below.
"And he just started shooting and I started running," Williams said. "I felt my body being so warm and my baby was just bleeding so much and gasping for air and I kept telling her I love her-please don't leave me."
Maleah's mom said the bullet that went through her daughter's head wasn't meant for the infant- a happy little girl adored by everyone.
"You rode right by all them kids," she said. "You knew there was a chance so why would you even do that? Now she's up there fighting for her life and it is killing me."
No other children were injured in the shooting.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO MALEAH'S GOFUNDME PAGE
Davis is being held at the Orange County Detention Center under a $650,000 secured bond.
