Candlelight vigil and prayer walk held for 5-year-old shot in Bronx

MORRISANIA, Bronx (WABC) -- A vigil and walk were held in the Bronx on Friday evening for Jaheem Hunter.

The 5-year-old was hit in the head by a stray bullet earlier this week, on his birthday.

About 100 people showed up on Washington Avenue and their message was clear: enough is enough.

They're tired of the violence and with the latest victim being an innocent 5-year-old boy, community members and concerned citizens say it is time to put those guns down.

The participants stopped every few blocks to pray.

"The support has given me strength. The prayers have given me strength. So, I'm holding up," said Asia Holmes, Jaheem's mother.

They are holding an anti-violence candlelight prayer vigil, walking down Washington Avenue where little Jaheem was shot in the head.

Now, somehow, that little boy is still alive and fighting for his life in critical condition, rushed to the hospital by his devastated father who did not have time to wait for an ambulance.

Doctors have told the parents that it's too early to tell if Jaheem will pull through.

The shooting happened on Monday, around 5:00 p.m. in broad daylight.

Investigators say the gunman was in a dispute with another man when he fired at least five shots.

The bullets missed their targets, but one struck Jaheem.

Eyewitness News spoke with his father who says his son is in an induced coma, still unable to speak.

"I appreciate all of the community coming out for my kid. Everybody loves him around here. They all love him and everybody is praying for him. You know, he is critical and it is touch and go, but I appreciate the doctors, the community, the police officers, the commissioner, the mayor, for the support," said Charles Hunter, Jaheem's father.

"he knos I love him. He knows I love him," Holmes said.

27-year-old Michael Quiles was charged with attempted murder.

As the child fell to the ground, witnesses say Quiles turned to the boy's father and said, "Sorry, my bad."