Highland Park mother demands justice as 3-year-old son is shot in his head

DETROIT – Kristy Murphy was at a funeral when she received a phone call last Saturday, Jan. 4, that her 3-year-old son, Eric Turner, had been shot.

He was shot in the head.

Turner had to undergo surgery at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit.

Murphy is relieved that her son has been making progress in his recovery.

“He is moving his hands. He is alert that people is there. He can hear people. We are just taking it day-by-day and trusting in God,” Murphy said.

The shooting happened on Woodward Avenue in Highland Park around 11 a.m. on Jan. 4.

Police said someone in a dark-colored SUV fired shots at a vehicle Turner was riding in.

His twin sister and 5-year-old sister were also in the car, along with his father and another man.

The two adults were hit by gunfire, police said.

The other children were not hurt.

“His twin thinks her brother is still dead. She sees a bullet in her brother’s head,” Murphy said.

The Highland Park Police Department has transferred the case to Michigan State Police.

The shooting was not random, MSP Spokesperson Lt. Mike Shaw said.

No arrests have been made.

“I’m pretty sure the person who did it, you seen people, you seen kids in the car. I want to know why you are sitting at home watching TV, enjoying life while my kid is sitting here suffering. My kid is trying to fight for his life. I want to know why. I really want to know why,” Murphy said.

She’s trying to stay strong for her son despite a flood of emotions from about four years ago at the same hospital with her then 8-year-old son, who didn’t survive.

“I have already lost one child due to him having special needs. So, to be back at this hospital and have to relive all this over again it is pretty hard. It is not easy,” Murphy said.

If you have any information about the shooting, you can call 1-800-SPEAK-UP or 1-855-MICH-TIP.