Miami homicide detectives early Friday arrested a man they say was involved in a gun battle that left a 2-year-old Little Haiti toddler paralyzed.
Ronell Campbell, 24, was arrested on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Also identified in the incident was Ronald Cartwright, 25, who police say is wanted for illegally carrying a firearm.
Police believe that a fight over drugs began on the second story of a Little Haiti apartment building.
The fighters went downstairs into a hallway. Campbell, walking upstairs, heard gunshots and raced downstairs firing to join the battle.
A mother carrying her toddler was walking through the hallway when she was hit in the arm and the child struck in the stomach.
Doctors say he may never walk again.
“Imagine being that age and you want to run and jump and play and your brain is telling your legs to move and not understanding why it’s not happening,” said Miami homicide Sgt. Armando Aguilar Jr.
Detectives are unsure whose shot struck the toddler and charges are pending in the investigation.
Campbell, wounded in the gunfight, was arrested at his Miami Gardens home.
A phone tip called into Miami-Dade CrimeStoppers led detectives to a witness who pointed out Campbell and Cartwright.
