Dad speaks out after daughter, under 6, shot dead in stolen SUV in Durham

DURHAM, NC (WNCN) – Elijah Pryor has watched his daughter transform her life.

“The last day of [physical] Therapy she came out and she hugged me. A big hug. [She] had crocodile tears in his eyes. She told dad ‘I’m done with therapy.’ I said, “That’s right, baby.” I said, “Don’t stop, keep going. She didn’t stop,” he said as tears welled in his eyes.

Pryor said his daughter continues to recover from the physical and emotional pain of the gunshot.

In the early hours of December 13, 2021, Durham Police said six young people were shot dead in a stolen SUV.

Isaiah Carrington, 19, and Ariuna Cotton, 15, were killed. Pryor said his 17-year-old daughter was also in the car. He said she was shot in the back and legs.

Pryor said the shooting was a wake-up call for his daughter. He also said when she underwent physical therapy, she started turning things around.

She earned her high school diploma and enrolled at Durham Technical Community College. She also plans to start a support group for people involved with gun violence.

“It started with the child’s influence on the situation. Everyone looked at her like a big sister. She has a new nephew, so she’s changing her life for him, too,” Pryor said.

Pryor said the support group is still in its infancy. More information on his daughter’s efforts can be found here.

Last month, police arrested 21-year-old Keon Beal in Washington, DC in connection with the December shooting. He is accused of murder.