Chassidy Ulia Vang’s family has been reeling since the 2½-girl-old was shot in the head in her St. Paul back yard Monday, leaving her fighting for her life.

It’s difficult for what happened to sink in, an aunt said Tuesday.

Police said Tuesday that Chassidy is in critical condition and aunt Mai Thao described her as stable.

Chassidy’s 23-year-old father and a 27-year-old relative were also injured in the shooting, which occurred in the North End shortly after midnight Monday. The two men were released from the hospital later Monday.

The shooting most seriously injured Chassidy, a sweet little girl who is full of energy, her aunt said.

“If you’re having a bad day, you could come here and she would cheer you up,” Thao said.

Chassidy was in the back yard of her home at Maryland Avenue and Marion Street during a family gathering for Father’s Day when a barrage of gunfire rang out. People reported that the shooting came from a nearby alley, according to preliminary emergency radio traffic posted by MN Police Clips.

Sandy Vu, who lives in the area, went outside early Monday after hearing gunshots and shouting. She saw people surrounding someone who was on the ground and was horrified when she realized it was a little girl bleeding from the head.

“I was completely, completely speechless and also being a mom of three and having a 3-year-old daughter, I saw her cheeks looked my daughter’s cheeks and her haircut is exactly like my daughter’s,” Vu said Tuesday. “Her precious little face had blood on it. She was laying there completely lifeless.”

Chassidy’s father was shouting, “That’s my baby!” and another neighbor was applying pressure to the girl’s head wound. Vu and others prayed.

Vu said she hopes that police find the person responsible.

No one has been arrested. A police spokesman said Monday that investigators do not believe the shooting “is entirely random” and they think “there is some kind of connection between the shooter or shooters and at least one of the victims.”

Thao said Tuesday that she does not know why the shooting happened.

“We don’t have problems with anybody,” she said.

HOW TO HELP

Police are asking anyone with information to call them at 651-266-5650.

A fundraising site for Chassidy’s medical bills is at gofundme.com/ulia-medical-bills

IF YOU GO

What: North End community meeting with police to discuss recent criminal activity and gun violence.

When: 6:30-8 p.m. Monday

Where: Church of St. Bernard’s, 187 W. Geranium Ave., St. Paul