At a Glance
- An 11-year-old girl lost 100% of her vision after being shot in the head on Jan. 5 in Antioch, California.
- The child asked her father, “Dad, why can’t I see?” as her vision faded in the hospital.
- Police have identified Ryan Hardy, 23, as the suspect; he remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous.
- Why it matters: The family, fearing retaliation, is relocating while the girl faces extensive medical care and emotional recovery.
An 11-year-old California girl is now completely blind after a single bullet tore through her skull while she sat in her family’s parked car. The suspected gunman, 23-year-old Ryan Hardy, has not been captured, leaving the child’s relatives in hiding and pleading for help.
The Shooting
The incident unfolded shortly after nightfall on January 5 in the parking lot of a modest apartment complex in Antioch, a Bay Area city of roughly 110,000 residents. Surveillance cameras captured a figure approaching the family’s vehicle and firing multiple rounds, Antioch Police Department (APD) investigators said.
One bullet struck the elementary-school student in the head. Paramedics rushed her to an Oakland children’s hospital where surgeons stabilized her. Two days later, a GoFundMe organized on the family’s behalf delivered grim news: “she has lost 100% of her vision.”
Police have not disclosed a motive. In an earlier statement, the department noted, “The family does not appear to have been the intended targets.”
“Dad, Why Can’t I See?”
Speaking anonymously to protect his identity, the girl’s father recounted the moment his daughter realized she could no longer see. “Dad, why can’t I see?” she asked, her voice trembling in the hospital bed.
“It hurts me so much,” the father told The Daily Mail in Spanish. “Those are words I don’t think any dad could handle. I feel like my heart is being ripped out.”
The man, who has three other children, described family as “everything” and said the shooting has left him numb and fearful. Relatives have kept vigil at the hospital, rotating shifts so the girl never wakes up alone.
Suspect Identified
Using surveillance footage, witness statements and forensic evidence, detectives identified Ryan Hardy as the shooter. Hardy, 23, has no known permanent address and has eluded capture since the attack.
APD’s bulletin is blunt: Hardy “should be considered armed and dangerous.” Investigators have not revealed whether he has prior violent convictions or how he acquired the firearm.
Family Forced to Relocate
Because Hardy remains free, the family has decided to abandon their Antioch apartment. The GoFundMe explains: “Because the attacker has not been apprehended, the family lives in constant fear of retaliation and no longer feels safe returning to their home.”
The campaign has raised tens of thousands of dollars to cover:
- Immediate medical bills
- Ongoing therapy for vision loss and brain trauma
- Moving expenses and first months’ rent in an undisclosed city
- Counseling for the girl’s three siblings who witnessed the aftermath
Recovery Uncertain
Doctors warn the girl’s recovery will be lengthy and unpredictable. “Her road ahead is uncertain and will require extensive medical care, therapy, and long-term emotional healing,” the fundraiser states.
The child can hear loved ones and responds by squeezing hands or moving her toes, but the permanent loss of vision has altered every aspect of her young life. School plans, hobbies, even simple tasks like navigating a room must be relearned.
Key Takeaways
- Suspect at large: Ryan Hardy, 23, is wanted for the Jan. 5 shooting.
- Victim impact: An 11-year-old girl is now completely blind.
- Family displacement: Relatives have left their Antioch home, fearing further violence.
- Ongoing investigation: APD asks anyone with information to contact them immediately.
Anyone with tips on Hardy’s whereabouts is urged to call Antioch Police or submit anonymous information through the department’s crime-stoppers portal.
