Rickey Smiley shared the devastating news Monday that his daughter Aaryn Smiley was shot three times in Houston over the weekend. She is expected to survive.
Smiley opened up about the shooting on the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, while discussing gun violence and the shooting death of eight-year-old Secoriea Turner in Atlanta on July 4, near the Wendy’s where Rayshard Brooks was killed.
“I wasn’t going to even say anything, but I’ve been sitting up here all morning with butterflies in my stomach trying to do a show,” Smiley began. “My youngest daughter was shot last night.”
He said Aaryn, 19, is hospitalized and would have to undergo surgery.
“She’s fine,” he explained, before adding she was shot while going to a Whataburger to get something to eat.
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Thank you to everyone who's keeping my daughter @AarynSmiley lifted in prayer, and to everyone who has sent well wishes her way. ?????????? https://t.co/Bo8ezNg6kg pic.twitter.com/a7HqPtkKMf
— Rickey Smiley (@RickeySmiley) July 6, 2020
“She’s crying. She’s scared. I can’t get to her,” he said. “I just hate it.”
The Atlanta-based comedian and radio host added that he’d been trying to book a flight to Houston, but because of the coronavirus pandemic, there are fewer flights available so he’s going to fly to Dallas and drive to Houston.
Smiley then addressed gun violence in the Black community as activists and protesters take to the streets across the nation demanding equal rights.
“This is no discredit to Black Lives Matter, because I believe that and I am with that movement 110 percent,” he said. “One has nothing to do with the other, but there are some criminals in our community and we need to do something about it.”
Houston TV station KHOU later reported that the shooting was the result of an apparent road rage incident, and a total of three people were shot. The other victims’ conditions were not known.
Aaryn was at a traffic light when she was caught in the crossfire. Her dad later posted on Twitter that she made it out of surgery and “is doing great.”
Listen to Smiley’s comments below.
Praying for God’s mercy, grace & healing power over your daughter. May His Holy Spirit grant you & your family comfort and assurance that all is going to be well. In Christ Jesus name I pray ???? AMEN.
DR. ROCK: RICKEY MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU MY BROTHER. WE LIVE IN A WORLD OF `UNPARALLELED HUMAN SUFFERING`. MAY `GOD` BE WITH YOU ! AMEN #
Praying for her n ur family
She was shot twice he said. Where are you getting 3 times.
He may have misspoken, but the statement from Rickey that his publicist released said she was shot three times and the headline on the video Rickey posted on social media says she was shot three times.
You and your family are in our ! ????
Prayers sent to you and your family.