6-year-old Louisville girl heads home weeks after being shot in road rage incident

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A road rage shooting on Interstate 65 in July left a 6-year-old Louisville girl unable to walk. Five weeks later, she is ready to leave the hospital and go home.

Onyx Sands is now in a wheelchair, but her positivity was infectious Thursday as she left the Frazier Rehab Institute. About 100 people gathered to cheer Onyx on for the next phase of her recovery.

Onyx Sands released from rehab.jpg — Onyx's mom, Chyna Sands, said they couldn't have done this without their friends and the support of the Frazier Rehab team to lean on. Aug. 17, 2023. *(WDRB Photo)*

Police said Onyx was shot during a road rage incident July 11 that started in the area of I-65 and Outer Loop.

Police said a vehicle and three motorcycles were involved, and at least 15 rounds were fired from at least three different weapons. According to police, the vehicle and the motorcycles continued down the highway, where another exchange happened on the off-ramp to University Boulevard.

More shots were fired at the vehicle, which was hit several times. Onyx was hit by gunfire just days after her sixth birthday, while riding with her father and two siblings. She was taken to Norton Children's Hospital, where she underwent surgery.

"I know it's just been like 39 days since the shooting, but we have come a long way," Sands said. "We started in the ICU, and those were some of the hardest nights ever."

Since the incident, Onyx has spent weeks working on her strength and mobility. She will continue outpatient rehab now that she's headed home.

"I'm Onyx strong," Onyx said. "I've got a lot to be happy about!"

Chyna Sands said with her daughter headed home, they are going to concentrate on being a family.

"We're gonna watch the Ninja Turtle movie and get pedicures," she said.

She said their lives have changed, but Onyx has been brave.

"When I have moments when I'm going to break down, she's rubbing my back telling me it's going to be OK," Sands said. "So how can I be sad and down about a situation that she's optimistic about?"

While life in the wheelchair is an adjustment, Onyx's mother isn't worried about her little girl's independence.

"I want her to be able to navigate through life with as much ease as possible," Sands said. "I don't see that being an issue with the positive attitude she has."

One person is facing charges connected to the road rage shooting. A federal grand jury indicted 33-year-old Jonathan Rivera for possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

Her mother hopes justice will be served, and the people responsible will be held accountable.

"I would love nothing more than to be able to rest comfortably at home with my baby," Sands said. "Knowing the people responsible are actually being held accountable. Hopefully it will come sooner than later."

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