A gunshot wound to the head of a 5-year-old girl is something many would consider to be a nightmare. For Evan Gaubatz, communication and advertising senior, that nightmare became a reality when her niece, Azaria Gaubatz, was shot in the head with a .22 caliber revolver at the hands of a 7-year-old boy.
Evan Gaubatz said her niece had been living in the home of a woman who had temporary custody of the young girl.
“Azaria, her brother, and another boy from the neighborhood were inside the house and were playing with toys when they found a gun in a shoebox,” Evan Gaubatz said. “The neighbor boy got the gun out and said to Azaria ‘I’m going to shoot you,’ and then he did it. He shot her.”
Azaria Gaubatz survived the shocking episode, and Evan Gaubatz said she considers herself and her family changed because of it.
Linda Gaubatz, 56, the mother of Evan Gaubatz, said she feels this episode has brought their family closer together, and Azaria Gaubatz is going to be the catalyst to change the family’s lives.
“Sometimes it takes a bullet to get people to be aware of certain things,” Linda Gaubatz said. “God spared her life but in that it also brings everyone together. In a few years we will all realize, ‘Man, she changed us.’”
Evan Gaubatz said this event has made her realize what is really important in life.
“She has opened up our eyes to see what’s important in life and to not take for granted that we have family,” Evan Gaubatz said. “So many people don’t have family members because of things like this. She could have easily died.”
While Evan Gaubatz said a great tragedy has occurred, she said it has given her niece so many opportunities she may not have otherwise had, such as getting out of the harmful environment that she was in.
“It’s allowed her to live with her real family,” Evan Gaubatz said. “We are concerned about her health and happiness and that she feels loved and cared for no matter what.”
Evan Gaubatz said she feels inspired by her niece and how much of a fighter she has been.
“It makes me more courageous and want to fight for what I believe in because she is 5 years old and can go through this on her own,” Evan Gaubatz said. “It makes me want to be more of a stronger person because of having known her.”
Evan Gaubatz said she was pleasantly surprised at the outpour of visitors and well-wishers that came to call on her niece while she was recovering.
“It seems like everyone wants to contribute in some way,” she said. “It just shows how much love that people have for one another and that people care. They aren’t so selfish and individualistic.”
Linda Gaubatz said she feels proud of how her daughter has stepped up to the plate in assisting her niece and family.
“She has really been able to walk the walk with helping me because I am now Azaria’s guardian,” Linda Gaubatz said. “She’s been a huge support for the whole family.”
Evan Gaubatz said she is impressed her niece has maintained a positive attitude.
“She is so sweet, you would think she would be so resentful and mad at everyone, but she still has that child-like innocence,” Evan Gaubatz said. “It puts everything into perspective and really makes you appreciate the little things in life.”
Prior to the accident, Evan Gaubatz said she didn’t have much exposure to guns and therefore didn’t hold a strong view of gun control. Her niece’s close call has given her a much more robust stance regarding gun control.
“There needs to be more awareness,” she said. “Something has to be done about keeping guns out of reach. This is something a lot of people need to hear.”
Evan Gaubatz said it makes her sick to think the gun that the children found was lying around in a shoebox within the children’s reach.
“I don’t think the laws in place now are really effective,” Evan Gaubatz said.
By ANNIE MALKA
Staff
amalka@umail.iu.edu