On the early morning of August 10th, 22-year-old Leo Martinez was shot in the stomach and leg 9 times while stopped at a red light in Houston. He was in the car with his cousins while driving to McDonald's when the truck next to him started shooting at them. Leo was the only one hit, and his cousins aided him in covering the wounds while the ambulance came and took him to the hospital.

By the grace of God, the bullets did not hit any vital organs, but they did shatter his shin, ankle, and heel bone. He is currently being treated for his injuries, and our family is focused on giving him all the mental, physical, and emotional help he needs. His road to recovery will be long and difficult; he will be unable to walk for at least a year and will need physical therapy after that to help him learn to walk again. The trauma he has experienced is unimaginable and unreal, and we are doing everything we can to be strong for him.

We are asking for support from our community to help cover the growing costs of:

* Emergency medical care and surgery

* Ongoing hospital and rehabilitation expenses

* Trauma counseling and emotional support

* Transportation and missed work for family members supporting him

Leo is more than a victim: he is a fighter. He is a kind, loving young man who is full of life. He is a strong and respectful person that did not deserve this; he was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. Our family is heartbroken by this tragedy, but we are hopeful that he will recover strong and healthy. We believe in his strength, and we are praying for justice, peace, and healing.

Leo has always been an active young man: he is a hardworking mechanic who loves what he does. He has worked on cars since he was 10 years old and is very passionate and experienced in his craft. Leo is a very funny and respectful young man who loves his family and is constantly supporting them. With your support, we can slowly get him the recovery he needs to get him back to doing what he loves.

Anything you can provide will help immensely, whether it be a donation, prayer, or simply sharing his story.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for lifting Leo up during this incredibly difficult time. ❤️