Hunter Hayes Phones 18-Year-Old Shooting Victim

Written by Lauren Laffer October 17, 2013

USC freshman Martha Childress is in critical condition at a Columbia hospital following being hit by a stray bullet on Sunday morning (10/13). At 2:30 a.m., Childress and some friends were reportedly waiting for a cab when several men started arguing nearby.

According to The Huffington Post, the accused shooter, 20-year-old Michael Juan Smith, pulled a gun on the two other men, firing shots at them, and unintentionally hit Childress. The bullet hit at the right side of her ribcage, lodging in her spinal cord. She is not expected to walk again.

Following the horrific accident, Childress received overwhelming support from around the country, including a phone call from hitmaker Hunter Hayes. Childress and her friends had attended Hayes’ concert at the South Carolina State Fair on Saturday evening. Her friends began a Twitter campaign to get the “I Want Crazy” singer to call her after the shooting and he happily obliged after hearing the news.

Childress tweeted her excitement yesterday, following the call from Hunter:

Y’all @HunterHayes just called me!! I seriously have the most amazing family, friends and support group that anyone could ask for❤️❤️

— Martha Childress (@marthachildress) October 16, 2013

While Childress is still in the hospital, Smith, who has a previous record, will be facing serious charges, including assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. The entire incident was caught on security cameras and police are currently investigating.

Tags: Hunter Hayes