Little Ava Chruniak was hit by bullets allegedly fired by Marqel Cockrell, 20, owner of a shoe store in the Mall of Victor Valley, who targeted two thieves he was chasing, according to police and her grandmother. “Cockrell’s shots killed the thieves and instead hit the 9-year-old female victim,” the Victorville Police Department said in a statement. Ava suffered a broken arm, according to a GoFundMe page that raised money for the hospital bills. Ava is said to be in a stable condition and she smiled broadly at the camera on the hospital bed in a photo posted on the internet. “No child deserves this, he was in the mall going for Easter photos with the bunny, such a sweet tender girl and loves to read his books,” her mother, Natalie, wrote on the fundraising page. Cockrell was arrested after fleeing to Nevada after the shooting, police said. He faces a charge of attempted murder. Marqel Cockrell has been arrested after fleeing to Nevada after the shooting – as he will now face a charge of attempted murder. Police and ambulance crews stand outside the Mall of Victor Valley on April 12, 2022, following the shooting that injured Ava Chruniak.Fox 11 Los Angeles With AP cables
