You could forgive Richard Rodriguez if he was angry and vengeful – he has every reason to be.

Last Thursday, a stray bullet that was fired from the gun of an armed robber injured Richard’s 10-year-old son, Christopher, a bright, enthusiastic young boy with a passion for music and sports. Christopher at the time was practicing the piano at Harmony Road Music School on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, California. The gas station across the street was being robbed and the robber fired a .40 caliber bullet at the attendant. The bullet missed and instead traveled across the street and smashed through Christopher’s spinal cord, pierced his abdomen and ended up lodged in his right side.

Christopher will most likely to be paralyzed and will need wheelchair support for the rest of his life. His kidneys, spleen, bowel and bladder were all injured. Doctors have decided to let the bullet remain because of the danger to his life if they attempt to remove it.

The robber, Jared Adam, has been arrested for attempted murder, robbery, evading police and being in possession of a firearm. He fled the scene after the shooting and was arrested when he crashed into two cars.

For the Rodriguezs’, life has now posed new challenges, and they must contemplate things they never imagined a few days ago. Their van will have to be made wheelchair accessible, and they will have to move into a new single-story house from their present two-storied home. Friends are already pitching in and Christopher’s school friends too have raised over $30,000 for his treatment and new expenses.

Most importantly, they will have to help their child, who at present remains unaware of the extent of his injuries, deal with his new challenges, and life as a paraplegic.

If you have been the victim of a spinal-cord injury brought on by an accident or an attack, you need the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer. Contact an attorney at The Reeves Law Group for a free consultation.