ST. LOUIS — For Leaisha Hatcher and her 6-year-old son, Ayedrian Jones, it was supposed to be a quick trip to a Baden gas station for snacks. However, it quickly turned into a nightmare.
"I tried to handle it the best way that I could being it was my most devastating moment," Hatcher said.
During an exclusive interview with 5 On Your Side's Robert Townsend on Tuesday, Hatcher said just after 11 last Wednesday night, a man, dressed in all black and wearing a ski mask, stormed inside the gas station on North Broadway armed with what looked like an assault rifle.
"It was a real big gun. He told my friend like, 'Hey, what's up,' and then he just started shooting at Lamarco," recalled Hatcher.
Police said 34-year-old Lamaro Sharpe suffered several gunshot wounds and died.
Hatcher's innocent son was caught in the gunfire.
"My ears were ringing when I heard all those loud shots. I dove to the floor. I'm just like crawling for dear life, trying to get to somewhere safe. When I jumped right back up, the man's gone, Larmarco's on the floor all shot up, and I see my son," Hatcher said.
Ayedrian shot once in his stomach.
"I'm running towards him like it was just unbelievable. I was devastated and crying. I told Ayedrian to grab my neck. I picked him up, and I put him in the car," she recalled.
The frantic mom rushed her wounded, only child to a hospital.
The shooting happened just down the street from where one month ago Ayedrian's 9-year-old cousin, Codi Walker, was pinned between two cars just minutes after he, his mom and siblings arrived at Hickey Park in north St. Louis.
Both boys are now in the same hospital.
"I just cannot believe any of it. Codi's mom and I are first cousins. It just shows you how horrible the neighborhood is," Hatcher said.
Incredibly, nearly a week later, Ayedrian made a video for his mom from his hospital bed.
"I thank God that he's doing well and is just on his way to recovery. I'm more grateful that my son is still here," said the boy's mother.
Both boys underwent surgeries, and both are expected to survive.
Police are still looking for the gunman in the gas station shootings.