Porsha Williams Shows Support for Rickey Smiley's Daughter After She Was Shot Multiple Times in Houston
Rickey Smiley's 19-year-old daughter, Aaryn Smiley, underwent surgery for her injuries earlier this week.
Rickey Smiley's daughter, Aaryn Smiley, is recovering in the hospital after she was shot over the weekend.
The comedian first shared the news on his radio show, the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, on Monday, July 6 while discussing reports of gun violence across the country over the weekend. "I've been dealing with this all morning sitting up with butterflies in my stomach trying to do a show," he said. "My youngest daughter was shot last night. Aaryn. She's in the hospital right now."
Rickey shared that Aaryn, who recently turned 19 years old, was shot three times while driving to a fast food restaurant in Houston on Sunday, July 5. He recalled going to bed around 8:30 p.m. or 9 p.m. and waking up to text messages about the incident.
The Houston Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE a shooting occurred at 6898 South Freeway in Houston on Sunday night, and a woman and three men suffered injuries that were believed to be non-life-threatening. The three men were in a car at a stop light when an unknown vehicle drove by and began firing multiple shots, according to police. The three men were hit and a female passenger in a separate, unrelated vehicle was struck in the crossfire, a Houston Police Department spokesperson told PEOPLE.
Rickey confirmed on his radio show that Aaryn was fine but that she was in the hospital and would likely be undergoing surgery. "She's crying, she's scared, I can't get to her, and I just hate it," he said.
After saying on the radio that he would be flying to Dallas and then driving the rest of the way to get to his daughter in Houston, Rickey shared an emotional video on Instagram showing him preparing for the journey as he tried to process his thoughts and feelings. "I'm trying to pack a bag, don't know what to pack, can't think straight, nerves bad, butterflies in my stomach, my daughter in surgery. Can't even get to her. I don't know what to do," he said. "We've got to stop gun violence. Parents shouldn't have to go through this."
Rickey also expressed gratitude that his daughter is alive and asked everyone to pray for other families that have been affected by gun violence.
He later confirmed on Instagram that Aaryn was out of surgery and was doing well. "She's doing great!!" Rickey wrote in the post. "Thank you for your prayers!!!!"
Unfortunately, Rickey was not able to see Aaryn when he got to the hospital in Houston due to safety precautions put in place amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In a video update posted on YouTube on July 7, Rickey shared that he was waiting outside the hospital for Aaryn to be transferred, which is "the only way we get to see her." "All of this comes with parenting. Stuff happens," Rickey said in the video. "But what an awesome God we serve because I could be standing at the front door of a funeral home, but God blessed us enough for us to be here at the hospital."
Aaryn thanked everyone "for keeping me in your prayers" in her Instagram Story. She also opened up more about the incident.
"This is the most terrifying thing that has ever happened to me. I won't be out of the hospital for a while nor will I be able to walk for a while due to nerve damage," she originally shared in her Instagram Story, which was later reposted by her dad on his Instagram, along with a photo of what appears to be her car after the shooting. "I'm so sorry if I can't respond to everyone but please know I'm thankful for all of the messages."
She also confirmed that she was shot in the leg and shared how fortunate she is to have survived the shooting in another post in her Instagram Story. "Words can't describe how grateful I am to be alive right now," Aaryn wrote.
It's been difficult for Aaryn to go through all of this without her family by her side. "Scariest part of all of this is the fact that I'm alone. They won't let me see my parents or let anyone come in because of COVID," Aaryn said in her Instagram Story while sharing a photo from her hospital bed. "I'm terrified."
Many of Rickey's famous friends and colleagues have sent their support to him and his daughter during this difficult time, including Married to Medicine's Quad Webb and The Real Housewives of Atlanta family, such as Phaedra Parks, Cynthia Bailey, and Porsha Williams, who has long worked with Rickey as a co-host of Dish Nation.
"Thank you Lord!! What a mighty God we serve," Porsha said of Aaryn's successful surgery in her Instagram Story. "We pray for a full recovery!"
