The family members of 1-year-old Elijah Ali are saying their prayers of thanks.
They say little Elijah is doing well after a stray bullet hit him in the neck Thursday afternoon. His father, Rosshan Ali, said doctors removed bullet fragments from the boy's neck. He was released from the hospital Friday afternoon.
Elijah's grandfather said the boy is laughing and playing.
"The mercy of God protected him," Rahamat Ali said. Ali says the family planned to spend time on Friday giving their thanks to God.
"Thank God he's OK," Ali said. "I can continue to play with him and spend the rest of my life with him."
Richmond police are still looking for the shooter, who also struck a man in his 20s riding his bicycle about 1:15 p.m. at West Macdonald Avenue and First Street.
Officers responded to St. John's Apartments a short time after the shooting and found Elijah suffering from a serious neck wound. He was was taken to Children's Hospital Oakland in serious but stable condition. The bicyclist turned up at a local hospital a short time after the shooting suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg, police said.
Police said at least one male suspect armed with a gun fled from the scene on foot.
Ali says he's trying to find a new place to relocate his family now. He's also hoping the shooter is caught.
"I'm hoping he learns other people's lives are as important as his," he said.
