Fundraiser created for family of Tampa girl who was hit by a stray bullet in Robles Park

A fundraiser for a 9-year-old girl who was hit by a stray bullet in Robles Park is up and running to help with the cost of her family's mounting medical and household bills.

On March 22, two boys got into an argument at a Robles Park basketball court. One of them brought out a gun and shot at the other. His bullet missed his target and hit the girl, RayRay, in the lower back.

"The moment the bullet hit RayRay, her entire family felt it," the GoFundMe page reads.

Susana Matta Valdivieso, a family friend who created the fundraiser, said that RayRay has received an "unimaginable amount" of love and hugs since the incident.

"However, as we know, thoughts and prayers don't pay medical bills, erase the tragedy, or give Ms. Artese's [RayRay's mother] family enough to support financially and mentally and physically recover," the page reads.

Matta Valdivieso wrote that Artese is unable to work while taking care of RayRay, and that while the young girl is recovering, she can't go back to school for a few weeks.

The fundraiser donations will be used to pay medical and household bills, plus other necessities while Ms. Artese cannot work, and to buy a gift basket for RayRay on behalf of everyone who loves her.

"I want to be able to prove to her that she has a community behind her that can show up for her the way she has shown up for everyone in her life in need," Matta Valdivieso wrote about Artese. "I want to show her that there are other people in this world who love her back."

Tampa has seen a spike in gun violence in recent years. Residents have been attempting to address the problem through public demonstrations and community forums.

The Gun Violence Archive shows that 1,246 children were killed by gun violence, and 3,378 were injured in the U.S in 2021.