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Community Rallies Around Boy Shot with BB Gun at Lemonade Stand

Posted at 5:36 PM, Jul 27, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-27 18:36:25-04

Jayden Grant is just 9-years-old, but he and his father aren't letting a frightening experience hold them back.

"It was the scariest moment of my life really, a lot goes through your mind," explained Jayden's dad, Eric Grant.

Jayden was working his lemonade stand Monday afternoon when 19-year-old Evgeniy Tetzlaff shot him with a BB gun in the head, nearly missing his eye.

NBC26 spoke with the Grant's Tuesday afternoon, about 24 hours after the attack and they say they're staying positive about their small community of Kimberly.

"Just knowing that Kimberly is a safe place and this is a very random act," said Eric Grant.
 
The outpouring of support has been incredible the family says they've received so much of it that they didn't put up their lemonade stand Wednesday afternoon because they're taking a break from it all.
 
However, just because the stand isn't set up doesn't mean the support still isn't rolling in.
 
"That overwhelming support from the community is helping them overcome that mental hurtle and allows him to get out there and realize that he can be a normal kid," said Fox Valley Metro Police Department community support officer, Michael Lambie.
 
Officer Lambie was one of several officers who went to visit Jayden following the attack at his lemonade stand.  Those officers had an important message for the young boy.
 
"I just think it shows him that we're there to support him in all aspects of his life, not only when there's tragedy," said officer Lambie.
 
As for Jayden's father Eric he says getting his son back out there was an important lesson for him to learn.
 
"The reason we're doing this today is to get past the mental fear of going outside," explained Grant Tuesday afternoon.
 
Jayden and his family are receiving support from across the nation.  They're even getting calls from national TV networks in New York who are hoping to feature their story.