CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A 2-year-old girl shot in the head and arm outside her East Side home Friday continues to fight for her life, the girl's uncle said Sunday.

Alaya Brown was in her 21-year-old mother's arms outside the family's home in the 4100 block of East 146th Street when a gunman opened fire, the uncle said.

Alaya underwent brain surgery Friday at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, where she remains in critical condition in the pediatric intensive care unit.

"She's fighting for her life," the uncle said. "We're distraught. Most of us are at a loss for words. It was just so sudden and unexpected."

Alaya raised her arm in self-defense, her uncle said. The bullet first went through her arm, slowing it down before it hit her in the head.

The bullet cracked Alaya's skull. The right side of her brain is dead, and she is blind in one eye, he said.

"She was playing; her mom was holding her," the uncle said. "We're just hurt that this happened."

The gunman, who was driving a silver Toyota Camry, was talking to Alaya's mother for several minutes before the shooting, the uncle said. Another car drove up, and there may have been words exchanged because the car couldn't pass by, he said.

Both cars started to drive away, and the gunman started shooting. Alaya's uncle said the man in the Camry was aiming directly at his sister and niece.

"He deliberately, purposely and intentionally shot them," the uncle said. "I don't know why, but I know he did."

The uncle said he doesn't know the gunman, but he has seen him around the neighborhood.

A bullet grazed Alaya's mother in the arm, and the gunman fled in the Camry, the uncle said.

The shooting happened around 7 p.m., police said. There have been no arrests.

Alaya was born premature and has battled epilepsy and diabetes for her entire short life, family members said.

She had trouble walking and talking, and seizures before the shooting.

"We are just taking it hour-by-hour, day-by-day," the uncle said. "Please pray for my niece and my family."

If you wish to discuss or comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comments section.

Like Chanda Neely on Facebook.

Follow me on Twitter: