Police are still searching for the person responsible for shooting a 16-year-old girl at a party in southwest Miami-Dade over the weekend.
Family members said Joe'era Riley is improving and she's being moved from the Intensive Care Unit to a regular hospital room. She's had two surgeries in two days.
Her father said she's in good spirits despite being hit by a bullet during a fight outside Halley Banquet Hall late Friday night.
"She isn't even complaining about the pain. She's keeping us together, she's real strong," said Joseph Riley, victim's father.
Cellphone video shows the violence. A fight broke out after a sweet 16 birthday party, which involved several teenagers. Police were called to the scene near 106th Avenue and 189th Street.
Riley's family believes the gunman mistakenly targeted her brother.
"They say when the guy came around the building, he shot at my son and I don't know if he fell or laid down, but the bullet went through his shirt and hit her in the hip," Joseph explained.
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Joe'era is a sophomore at Killian Senior High School. Her father said she gets good grades and has dreams of going into the U.S. Air Force and then going to law school.
He's thankful she isn't afraid to stay on that path, "She told me today that she's going to beat this, she's strong. She said she forgives the guy who did it."
Joseph isn't quite ready to forgive. He is determined to find the person responsible.
"If anyone knows anything, please call and help us out so no other parent has to go through this. It wasn't a bad tragedy, but it was a tragedy and I can't imagine when a parent loses a child because I know what I'm going through," he said.
Joe'era is expected to make a full recovery, but it's going to take several months of therapy once she is released from the hospital.
Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.
