A judge has maintained no bond for the man accused of shooting a 5-year-old in an act of road rage.

Charles Stevenson Jr. made a first court appearance Wednesday, facing a charge for shooting into an occupied property. Investigators are also securing a warrant to charge him with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill causing serious injury.

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Police say Stevenson had been driving aggressively Monday evening on U.S. Highway 64 during the heart of rush hour.

As the suspect exited onto U.S. 1 North in Cary, he allegedly shot into a pickup truck. The bullet passed through 5-year-old Ema’s leg before landing in her sippy cup.

The family is understandably distraught over Ema being in this position.

“She’s just a bundle of joy, always smiling and playing and running around. Just an angel, honestly,” said Aubree Allison, Ema’s aunt. “For something like this to happen to such a sweet and innocent child is heartbreaking.”

Allison said Ema has had multiple surgeries and will now face weeks of physical therapy, all before she has even stepped foot in a kindergarten classroom.

“To hear the wailing from her mother last night when we went to greet her at the hospital, no mother or parent wants to get that phone call that their child was involved in a violent gun act,” Allison said.

Monday’s incident was the third time in June that a child passenger had been a victim in a shooting.

On Saturday, a child was grazed in the leg after a car was shot at in Goldsboro. On June 8, an 11-year-old passenger was shot in Durham.

Cary police sent people a note of caution regarding aggressive drivers to avoid escalating situations:

  • Do not engage. Avoid eye contact, honking or retaliatory gestures. Engaging can escalate the situation.
    • Keep your distance. Change lanes or slow down to give the aggressive driver space to move on.
      • Avoid stopping. If you believe you're being followed, drive to a public location such as a police or fire station—never to your home.
        • Call 911. If you feel threatened or unsafe, call 911 and provide details about the location, vehicle description, and direction of travel.
          • Be a good witness. If it’s safe to do so, note details such as license plate, make, model, and behavior. Do not put yourself at risk to collect information.

            Stevenson had been taken into custody around 8 p.m. Tuesday. He is due back in court at 9 a.m. on July 23.