Boy, grandfather critically wounded in Sanford shooting continue to fight for their lives

ORLANDO, Fla. — A 7-year-old boy and his grandfather who were critically wounded Monday in a mass shooting in a Sanford neighborhood continued to fight for their lives on Wednesday.

Relatives are at the bedsides of Brendon Christian and Bertis Herring Jr., who remain in critical condition at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Orlando Regional Medical Center, respectively.

Investigators said Allen Cashe went on a shooting rampage, killing his ex-girlfriend, LaTina Herring, and her 8-year-old son, Branden Christian Jr., before wounding two bystanders: Larazo Paredesquelite and Rakeya Jackson.

The boys’ father, Branden Christian, told Channel 9 Tuesday that he hasn’t left the hospital since Monday except to step outside for some fresh air. His son and namesake, Branden, died Tuesday morning from his injuries.

“I wanted my son to walk out of that hospital with me,” he said. “And he can't.”

A piece of his heart is now missing, Christian said.

“You did that. You did that. You took a piece from me,” he said. “But God got you, though. He gonna handle (you). He gonna handle you.”

Police said Cashe kicked his way into LaTina Herring’s home before shooting her, her father and the boys with an AK-47.

“My boy would have said, ‘Don't cry, Daddy,’” Christian said. “He would have told me that if he was here.”

Cox Media Group