VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The 8-year-old little boy from Virginia Beach who survived being shot in the head has just turned 9.
Landyn Davis was playing video games in his home when a bullet came flying in, hitting him in the head back in February.
Fast forward to today, with months of rehab behind him, a big party will be held in his honor this weekend.
Landyn turned 9 years old on Memorial Day. Now, his friends and family are throwing a community-wide party this Saturday to celebrate. Landyn is a fighter and getting stronger each day.
“From doing physical therapy, they’ve strengthened him,” said Emily Rigsby, Landyn’s mom. “He got to get up on his knees and it was one of the best accomplishments that he’s made.”
Landyn has defied the odds again and again.
“[Going] from not thinking that he was going to make it the first 96 hours, to if he did make it, he’d never be able to do anything to doing everything is, it’s amazing,” Rigsby told 10 On Your Side.
This weekend, he’ll celebrate his birthday at Pups and Pints — an event that seemed unimaginable four months ago.
“They have offered to do Landyn’s birthday party,” Rigsby said. “It is open to the public. They’re going to have Sonic and Tails there. They’re going to have carnival games and prizes. Food for the kids, Kona Ice is supposed to come out. A bunch of stuff for the kids to come and enjoy and have fun.”
Landyn still has ways to go in his recovery after a bullet went through his brain.
“I don’t sleep much,” Rigsby explained. “I have to get up all times of the night to do medications and feeds. He wakes me up and he’s hot or he’s cold or his legs or his arms. He wants me to move them for him, get him comfortable.”
But to his parents, Rigsby and Steven Davis, the challenges are a small price to pay.
“It’s worth it to have my son here,” Rigsby said.
Pups and Pints is hosting Landyn’s party on Saturday, June 15 from noon to 5 p.m. There will be free activities for kids. Dogs are welcome.