Mother says her 6-year-old son is fighting for his life after drive-by shooting in neighborhood

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM/Gray News) - A Georgia mother says her son remains in the hospital after he was a victim of a drive-by shooting earlier this week.

“He’s very strong, he’s holding on, he’s fighting,” Alaya Thomas said.

Thomas’ 6-year-old son Cameron was shot early Wednesday morning on Tracy Street in a Columbus-area neighborhood.

The mother said she never thought she’d be in a situation like this.

She said they were waiting for a ride from her mother when she heard a car approaching.

“I told [him] to come on and he grabbed his car,” Thomas said. “We walked outside but then I didn’t see the car anymore.”

According to Thomas, as she was picking her phone up that’s when a car drove by and started shooting at them.

“I saw my son fall and they were still shooting … still shooting,” she said.

Thomas said she ran to grab her baby and saw what looked to be about 100 shell casings on the ground.

“He kept grabbing me, blood was coming out of his head,” she said. “It was just so scary … I didn’t know what to do.”

Thomas said her son loves cars and is one of the happiest little boys.

“He is very happy. He likes to play. He doesn’t have any limits. He doesn’t have any fears,” Thomas said. “He’s autistic and doesn’t really talk, but he shows his personality in other ways.”

Columbus police said they have arrested 22-year-old Makaliah Briscoe in connection with the shooting.

Thomas said she is hoping whoever is responsible is punished.

“Regardless of who got shot, they wanted someone gone,” she said. “I hope everyone goes to jail and I hope my son gets justice.”

Thomas said she is asking for positive energy and prayers.

Briscoe has pleaded not guilty to the charges he is currently facing. The 22-year-old is awaiting his next court date.

A GoFundMe has been set up to assist the Thomas family.

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