California 9-year-old girl Ava Chruniak shot at Mall of Victor Valley waiting to see Easter Bunny

The 9-year-old girl who was shot at a California mall Tuesday evening was hit by three stray bullets whereas waiting in line to see the Easter Bunny, police and her relations mentioned.

Little Ava Chruniak was struck by the bullets allegedly fired by Marqel Cockrell, 20, a shoe retailer proprietor at the Mall of Victor Valley who was aiming at two shoplifters he was chasing away, in accordance to police and her grandmother.

“Cockrell’s shots missed the shoplifters and instead hit the 9-year-old female victim,” the Victorville Police Department mentioned in a press release.

Ava suffered a damaged arm, in accordance to a GoFundMe page that was elevating money for her hospital payments.

Ava was mentioned to be in secure situation, and flashed a large grin for the digital camera in her hospital mattress in an image posted on-line.

“No child deserves this she was at the mall going for Easter pictures with the bunny she such a sweet loving girl and loves reading her books,” her mom, Natalie, wrote within the fundraising web page.

Cockrell was arrested after he fled to Nevada following the taking pictures, police mentioned. He is going through an tried homicide cost.

With AP wires