9-year-old in good spirits after losing eye in drive-by shooting

A 9-year-old girl was back at home recovering Friday after she lost her eye in a drive-by shooting early Monday morning.

Sa'Maya Hargrove said ever since the shooting, she and her mom have come up with a special way to start their mornings.

"We put our peace signs up every day," said Tesha Bullock, Sa'Maya's mom. "That means peace up and guns down."

Henderson police responded to a report of gunshots at the Highland Green Apartments on Pinkston Street at 12:21 a.m Monday. Police Chief Marcus Barrow said the shooting happened when a vehicle pulled up to a group of people that were standing in front of the apartments and someone began firing a weapon. Hargrove's cousin, 18 year-old Aisha Taylor, was also injured.

"They say they were targeting someone else," Bullock said.

Bullock said since the moment her daughter was shot she has been amazed by her strength.

"She walked herself inside the hospital herself. No ambulance took her," Bullock said. "I tell her everyday she's stronger than me."

Hargrove, a rising fourth-grader at EO Young Elementary School, said so far, things have not been so bad.

"I get gifts," Hargrove said. "I don't even feel it. I don't notice it."

Now, Hargrove said she wants the shooter to come forward.

"Why would they do it," she said. "And tell them to apoligize."

Bullock said her daughter will receive a prosthetic eye in about eight weeks, and will then have to skull surgery.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925. Crime Stoppers pays cash for anonymous tips that lead to arrests.

No arrests have been made.