An 8-year-old boy, Asa, has been left paralyzed after being caught in the crossfire of a terrifying gun battle on Interstate Highway 580 in Oakland. Asa, a soccer enthusiast, math wizard, and devoted brother and friend, was unfortunately struck by a stray bullet while riding in his mother's car, leaving him with complete paralysis below the neck.
On August 3, 2023, Asa's family launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the extensive costs associated with his new reality. Asa now requires a mechanical respirator to live, tube feeds for nutrition, and 24-hour nursing care. The family aims to raise over $250,000 to cover key systems and accessibility modifications, transportation and mobility equipment, and vital rehabilitation and education tools to help Asa thrive, despite the devastating circumstances.
The shooting unfolded on July 15, 2023, when gunmen in two vehicles exchanged gunfire on the freeway near Grand Avenue, as reported by CBS News. The incident led to a temporary shutdown of eastbound Interstate Highway 580 and police are still searching for the suspect vehicles. This was the second freeway shooting in the Bay Area on that same day, with another driver injured earlier in the afternoon on Interstate 280 in San Francisco.
As the Oakland community is strongly rallying behind Asa and his family, his parents remain grateful for the extensive support they've received, both from loved ones and from strangers moved to help in any way they can. The tragedy also sheds light on the ongoing issue of gun violence, which Asa's family urges people to address through supporting organizations such as Youth Alive, Moms Demand Action, and Everytown for Gun Safety.
In the face of immense grief and turmoil, Asa's parents shared in their GoFundMe campaign, "We hope you never know pain like this. At the same time, we hope that you may know (as we now do) the exquisite gift of children’s resilience."
