Editor's Note: As of Tuesday, May 2, the mother of the 3-year-old who was shot in the face in this incident is expected to be charged after, District Attorney Larry Krasner said, she did not tell the truth to law enforcement officials.
A Good Samaritan's quick actions helped save the life of a young boy who was shot in the face while he was with his mother in Philadelphia on Sunday.
A 23-year-old woman told police she was carrying her 3-year-old son and walking along the 1500 block of Taney Street at 5:08 p.m. when she heard at least two gunshots. The woman told police she then spotted two men dressed in dark clothing running away from the scene.
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On Monday, officials said they had reason to believe the shooting happened at a property along the 1500 block of S. Taney Street, not out on the sidewalk.
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The woman then looked down and realized her son had been shot once in the cheek.
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Meeka Outlaw told NBC10 she was taking groceries out of her car when she spotted the mother in a panic as she held her injured son along the 1500 block of Taney Street.
"She was like, 'the baby wasn't breathing.' He was crying," Outlaw said. "I was too scared to look over at him."
Outlaw called 911 and drove the mother and son to a firehouse on Grays Ferry Avenue.
"I knew I didn't have enough gas to make it over to Children's Hospital," Outlaw said. "I knew the fire station was over here and I knew the best bet would be to get him to this fire station."
Medics then took the boy from the firehouse to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where he is currently in stable condition.
Outlaw told NBC10 she doesn't know the boy or his mother personally but had seen them previously in the neighborhood. She's now praying that her actions saved the boy's life.
"When we got here, the firefighters they went right to work on him so, I guess he's okay," Outlaw said while in tears. "I don't know. But I guess he's okay. I'm assuming he's okay."
No arrests have been made and a weapon has not been recovered.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.
