A seven-year-old girl who was shot in the head during a shooting spree along I-35 in Austin, Texas last Saturday is still recovering in the hospital. Her grandmother Clarice Reeves said that her granddaughter Javaeh Love is not in critical condition anymore but is working towards recovering from her gunshot wound.

She said her granddaughter is lucky to be alive.

"I just don't understand, it's hard to understand why?” said Reeves.

Reeves couldn’t hold back the tears as she talked about the horrific tragedy her family has just gone through. She said it's a story she's heard about time and time again, but never once thought she would be telling it herself.

Her eldest granddaughter, seven-year-old Javaeh Love, was shot in the head last Saturday when the family was driving home from her aunt’s house.

"She was hit on the top portion of her head,” said Reeves.


According to police, 25-year-old Rolando Martinez went on a shooting spree shortly before 2 a.m.

Officers said he opened fire multiple times with an assault rifle.

They believe the spree spanned down an 18-mile stretch of I- 35.

Reeves said she was working when she got the call about Javaeh being shot. "She said Javaeh was shot she's at Dell's Children’s Hospital and you need to go there,” said Reeves.

Javaeh was rushed to the children's hospital in critical condition.

"I just couldn't process it. I was a nervous wreck,” said Reeves.

She said it broke her heart to know how much pain her granddaughter was going through and said the road to recovery won't be an easy one. "I don't know, it's just going to have to take time and it depends on her so it's like the unknown not knowing,” said Reeves.

She said her granddaughter is a strong little girl, with a smile that can light up a room.

"She loves to dance and she's just a happy girl loves animals. A good child," said Reeves. "She's stronger then she thinks she is or knows she is.”

Javaeh remains in the hospital and said she doesn’t remember what happened.

Reeves said she hopes her granddaughter will be coming home soon.

“It would be great to have her home before Thanksgiving,” said Reeves.

She said she visits Javaeh twice a day and said she’s making progress. "She has a lot of friends and family that are supporting her and we are going to get through this and hopefully she will be back to her normal self. That's what we are praying for,” said Reeves.

Reeves has started a Gofundme account to help pay for medical expenses.

According to court documents two adult victims also suffered minor injuries during the shooting.

Martinez’s vehicle was found near I-35 and 290 with a gun inside. Police believe he was intoxicated on some type of substance. The Austin Police Department said they’re not releasing Martinez's mug shot due to future line-ups. He is being held on a $1 million bond.