'He was a real trooper': 9-year-old boy wounded in Seattle shootout making progress

Officers attend to one of several shooting victims, outside of McDonald's on Third Avenue, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, in Seattle. The window of the restaurant behind them was shattered after a gunman opened fire in the heavily trafficked downtown area. (David Silver via AP) less Officers attend to one of several shooting victims, outside of McDonald's on Third Avenue, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, in Seattle. The window of the restaurant behind them was shattered after a gunman opened fire ... more Photo: David Silver/AP Photo: David Silver/AP Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close 'He was a real trooper': 9-year-old boy wounded in Seattle shootout making progress 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

SEATTLE – As police continue to search for two gunmen who opened fire during rush hour in downtown Seattle Wednesday night, killing one and injuring seven others, the youngest victim is making progress and recovering from surgery.

“He was a real trooper,” said Erik Larson.

Judah, just 9 years old, was in town visiting the Pacific Science Center with his family and other friends from Port Orchard. A Jehovah’s Witness, they were also checking out some of the sidewalk displays with literature about the faith, according to Larson. Then, as they made their way down Third Avenue towards the Colman Dock to catch a ferry back home, gunfire erupted.

“They were right by the McDonald’s and tragically, the woman that ended up killed, was on the pavement not far from where they were struck,” said Larson, a family friend. “It’s really near miraculous that none of the other nine in their contingent was impacted.”

As police and paramedics swarmed the scene, Larson tells KOMO News first responders quickly got to Judah.

“He held it together,” said Larson. “In fact, one of the police officers mentioned that he wasn’t even crying when she responded.”

Rushed to Harborview, X-rays revealed the boy had a fracture in his left leg. Thursday morning, he spent two hours in surgery, the bone now put back together using a plate and screws.

"He has been cool and calm the entire time,” said Larson. “He isn’t bearing any animosity or harboring any ill will.”

Emotionally drained, the family is looking forward to getting him back home. It’s possible Judah could go home Friday according to Larson, who credits the boy’s faith with helping to keep his head held high.

“He’s not going to let (the shooting) deter him or detract him from moving ahead."

This article first appeared on KOMO NEWS.