Atlanta rappers surprise 12-year-old shooting victim during hospital visit

ATLANTA – A 12-year-old boy seriously injured in a shooting in southwest Atlanta over the weekend received a surprise hospital visit Monday from two Atlanta rappers.

Rappers Young Dro and Ralo showed up at Egleston Children’s Hospital with balloons and a message about gun violence and its impact on young people.

“I want people to protect themselves, but I stand against senseless violence,” Young Dro said.

Dro said that in the midst of planning a summit on youth gun violence this weekend, he was disheartened to learn that 12-year-old Ja’Quavious Davis had been shot.

Atlanta police said the shooting happened Friday near the intersection of MLK Jr. Drive and Hamilton E Holmes.

The boy’s mother told FOX 5 he was with his older brother trying to sell water when someone in a car opened fire.

ATLANTA RAPPERS SURPRISE 12-YEAR-OLD SHOOTING VICTIM WITH HOSPITAL VISIT

He was hit three times…now they fear he may be paralyzed.

“Gun violence is not the solution…we have to find solutions to get these kids off the streets,” he told FOX 5. “I think we as a community have to have some something to do for these children because he was selling water.”

Dro says that through his organization “It Takes a Village Still,” he hopes to use his platform to reach young people and promote peace.

He calls on others in the hip-hop community to do the same.

“I don’t want to be one of those people that has a platform, a voice that doesn’t use it… especially in the right way because that could be my child,” he said.

Dro says he and Ralo are also helping the family cover medical costs by donating to their GoFundMe, and he hopes to become Ja’Quavious’ mentor.

APD officials have not released any details about the suspected shooter, but say the investigation is active and ongoing.