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FRIDAY: Chandler tattoo shop holding fundraiser for girl nearly shot in barbershop next door

Posted at 3:49 PM, Apr 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-21 21:46:57-04

The video shocked us all.

Chandler police releasing the moment a little girl in a barber shop was nearly shot, but luckily, was sitting in the perfect spot. Two bullets go zooming past each side of her head, but she was amazingly untouched.

But, those shots were not meant for her. They were actually meant for the Damaged Ink Tattoo & Body Piercing shop next door.

Now, the shop is turning a bad situation into a positive one by holding a fundraiser for the little girl, her family and the business to deal with the damage to the building and any to that child.

The shop, located near Chandler Boulevard and Alma School Road, told ABC15 they'll be open late Friday night giving tattoos. All the proceeds will be donated to the family.

Several people, like Donna Dellek, visited the shop on Friday after hearing about the fundraiser.

Dellek brought her two daughters and sister with her to get her eighth tattoo that says, "You are the marrow in my bones and the blood in my veins."

"That's what your kids are," Dellek said.

Dellek said that her love of tattoos runs deep in the family.

"All of my sisters — we've all came and got tattoos together when our one sister passed away," Delleck said, showing off an infinity sign with a heart; the tattoo she got for her late sibling.

And while the needles have been buzzing, so has the shop's front desk.

"They've been definitely messaging us and coming forward and asking about it and stuff and wanting to participate," said Kenzi Wood, an artist at Damaged Ink.

Owner Jason Arnold says he'll be matching the amount raised today for the family.

"I feel like those bullets were meant to come here, you know what I mean?" Arnold said. "And I um...after watching that video and how close that little girl came, you know, I just feel that this is the least we could do."

Chandler police have made two arrests in the case, saying 23-year-old Michael Hart pulled the trigger after getting upset with employees inside — firing from his car, which is how they ended up in the barber shop next door.

"People are crazy these days," Wood said. "And just stuff happens randomly."

Vanessa Alvarado lives nearby and decided to get a tattoo today to help because she said this shooting could have happened to anyone.

"It's just shocking," said Vanessa Alvarado. "It worries you that you might be at the wrong spot at the wrong time and it might happen to you."

Alvarado had planned to get her tattoo already but thought this would be the perfect time to do good and get some ink.

"Whenever there is an opportunity to help out in the community...take the chance," Alvarado said.

ABC15 did speak with the barber shop owners about the little girl. They did not want to talk on camera to protect the little girl's privacy but said she is doing really well.

If you do not want to get a tattoo, Damaged Ink said you can still come by and donate if you would still like to help.