FORT WAYNE, Ind. — A 7-year-old boy was struck by gunfire while asleep in his southeast Fort Wayne home early Wednesday morning, sending shockwaves through a neighborhood now grappling with fear, frustration, and sorrow.

According to Fort Wayne police, someone opened fire on the home shortly before 3 a.m., shooting multiple rounds into the residence. The child, hit several times while in bed, survived and was rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

But for those who live nearby, the emotional wounds may linger far longer.

“He Had Nothing to Do With Anything”

Among the first to speak publicly was JaQuan Morant, a neighbor whose daughter is friends with the injured boy.

“It’s sad that a lot of people are letting malice and hatred dictate their actions,” Morant said in an interview with WPTA’s Eddie Reksiedler. “He had nothing to do with anything, so for him to be the one that gets the brunt of this reaction — it’s real sad.”

Standing just a few doors down from the crime scene, Morant gestured toward the bullet-ridden home as he reflected on the trauma now inflicted on a child and an entire family.

“This didn’t only change his life,” Morant added. “But his family’s life.”

Crime Stoppers Offers $5,000 Reward

As the search intensifies for those responsible, Crime Stoppers of Greater Fort Wayne has announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Detectives say the motive remains unclear, and it is not known whether the home was specifically targeted or caught in the crossfire of a broader dispute.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Fort Wayne Police Department or submit anonymous tips through the P3 app or by calling 260-436-STOP (7867).

Police have not released the name of the child or provided further details about their current condition, citing privacy concerns for the family.

Community Shaken by Violence Involving a Child

The shooting marks yet another painful chapter in a community where incidents of gun violence — particularly involving children — have become far too common.

“It’s terrifying,” said another neighbor, who declined to be named. “This isn’t supposed to happen. Not here. Not to a kid.”

City officials have yet to issue a formal statement, but community leaders are already mobilizing to support the family and push for renewed focus on violence prevention.

Local pastor Rev. Darnell Smith, who lives in southeast Fort Wayne, said the shooting is a devastating reminder of what’s at stake.

“A child was shot while he slept,” Smith said. “There’s no acceptable explanation for that. We need to dig deeper — not just into who pulled the trigger, but into why this kind of violence is happening in our neighborhoods.”

Recent Pattern Raises Alarm

This latest incident comes amid a troubling pattern.

In the past year, Fort Wayne has seen a rise in residential shootings, several of which occurred in the early morning hours and involved indiscriminate gunfire into occupied homes.

In many of these cases, no arrests were made, and community members have voiced growing concern over the lack of accountability and urgency.

City Council member Michelle Chambers, who represents parts of southeast Fort Wayne, told reporters last month that a culture of silence is undermining safety efforts.

“People are scared to speak up. And if that continues, then the shooters keep winning,” Chambers said at a community meeting in April. “We need more protection, more trust, and more partnerships.”

A Family Changed Forever

For now, the family of the 7-year-old is focused on healing — emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Police say the child is expected to recover, but neighbors say the scars run deeper than any medical chart can capture.

“It’s not just about the bullet wounds,” Morant said. “It’s about what it does to your sense of safety. Your home is supposed to be the one place you’re safe.”

As the city wakes up to yet another reminder of its fragility, one fact remains clear: a boy was nearly killed in his sleep.

And for many in Fort Wayne, especially those in the southeast corridor, that fact alone demands more than thoughts and prayers — it demands answers.