Detroit Police Officer Describes Finding 'Lifeless Body' Of 7-Year-Old Gunshot Victim: 'He's Why We Do What We Do'
DETROIT (WWJ) - When a 7-year-old boy was shot and critically wounded during a domestic dispute on Detroit's east side, a group of police officers quickly sprung into action and rushed to save his life as if it was one of their own children.
The little boy was badly injured and he was losing a lot of blood, fast. There wasn't any time to wait for an ambulance, so Officer Chris Rabior and his partner rushed the boy to a nearby hospital.
Rabior described the scene a poignant Facebook post, saying he should have been filing a report about the guns he confiscated earlier in the day but instead was covered "in the blood of a child."
It's a glimpse into the life of a police officer some rarely get the opportunity to see.
"I know a lot of people wonder why the hell I would ever want to work as a police officer in Detroit. It's an absolutely crazy place to work. I've been shot at. I've been assaulted. Pretty good odds my nose has been broken once or twice. I've seen terrible things. I know the smell of gunfire, the smell of death, the smell of decomp. I've had to listen to firsthand accounts, and see the results first hand, of how horrible people can be to one another. I've been the focus of hatred directed towards me solely based on the uniform i chose to wear. I've been threatened by gang members. I've been promised shootings by people we've caught on felonies that "next time, we're gonna bang it out".
Just prior to what should have been the end of my shift, I found myself lifting the nearly lifeless body of a seven year old boy from the back of our scout car and onto a stretcher for staff waiting on his arrival. My partner expertly drove at ludicrous speeds to get him there while I gave his mother instructions on how to control the bleeding between giving updates to dispatch on our ETA and location. I don't even know the boy's name. I don't know his mother's name. My hands should have been busy tapping away at a keyboard, writing a report about the four guns we got off the street earlier in the shift. Instead my hands were covered past my elbows in the blood of a child.
He made it through surgery. He's listed critical due to his age and the amount of blood he lost. But he's alive.
I don't know his name, but I'll never forget his face. He's why we do what we do."
Rabior's post has been shared hundreds of times, with many people reaching out and offering words of support.
"Well said! I don't know what we'd do if there weren't officers like you out there risking your lives and protecting us. Thank you," said Emily Ann.
"That was awesome bro. Gave me goosebumps. Stay safe out there man," said Howie Herula.
"Thank you for putting your life on the line to dedicate yourself to protecting mankind," said Lisa Pascaretti.
"Every shift you leave your home, take the chance of it being the last time you & risk your life in order to protect those you don't even know.. You may not be a soldier in the war but you are one in the city, with that being said I salute you," said Vickie Rodopoulos.
The suspected gunman, identified as Torrey Craft, fled the scene after the shooting, who occurred following an argument with the boy's mother. He later turned himself in to police after his photograph was widely circulated in the media and online. Charges are pending.
The child, who has not been named, was last reported in critical but stable condition.
