COLUMBUS, Ind. — A 3-year-old who was hospitalized after a shooting in Hope may be able to come home soon.
Kingston Perez is still at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis and is doing well, according to father George Perez Jr. It’s estimated that he will be able to leave the hospital in early August.
The doctors did not expect him to be at this point in his recovery this soon, considering the injury he endured, Perez said.
“He’s just a miracle, you know what I mean?” he said. “It’s a blessing, as far as he’s come already in so short a time.”
Kingston is working to use his right side and was not speaking yet, but has been trying. He goes through daily rehab sessions and is getting better each day, Perez said.
He and his wife have been told that by the time Kingston comes home, he’ll be walking, although he’ll still need to be in a stroller for longer stretches, such as shopping trips, walks or going to the park.
It could take a while for Kingston to be able to walk a long distance without a wheelchair, or he may always need one, his father said. However, this is something they likely won’t know for a long time.
Kingston and his father were injured in a shooting on June 1, according to an investigation by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department. Suspect Robbie Perez, 35, brother to George Perez Jr., is being held in the Bartholomew County Jail in lieu of a $5 million bond.
Robbie Perez is accused of Level 1 felony attempted murder and two counts of Level 3 felony aggravated battery in the shooting case, according to court records. He has been served with two orders of protection in the case.
Sheriff deputies were called to the 300 block of Elm Street in Hope at 11:25 p.m. June 1 on a report of a shooting. Investigators believe Perez went to the home and stood on the porch, firing shots inside the home and hitting the father and son, and then leaving the scene, according to previous interviews.
For the complete story and more photos, see Tuesday’s Republic.
