Boy Shot in Face Heads Home From the Hospital

Shooting suspect has bond reduction hearing set for Friday

A little boy who spent five weeks in a Dallas hospital after being shot in the face is headed home Thursday.

Witnesses said DJ Maiden, 8, was playing outside of his family's apartment in Dallas on Sept. 3 when he was shot by man standing nearby.

Maiden was said to be running back toward his apartment when the bullet hit him in the cheek.

Since that time, Maiden has been hospitalized and has undergone a number of surgeries to repair the damage done by the bullet.  In a recent interview with NBC 5, Maiden's grandmother, Sharon Locklin, said her grandson may never regain feeling in his jaw.

"He don't want the kids to look at his face," said Locklin. "He says, 'I look like a monster, Granny.' I'm like, 'No, you don't.'"

Maiden, who at this time speaks through a trach tube, had hoped to be home by Halloween. Meanwhile, he's trying to keep up with his school work while in the hospital. 

Family members said in a recent interview that more surgeries are in the boy's future.

Brian Cloninger, the man accused of shooting the boy, was arrested at the scene shortly after the shooting and is currently being held on $2.2 million bond. A bond reduction hearing is scheduled for Friday, where the 46-year-old man is expected to request his bond be dropped to $25,000.

Police have revealed no motive in the shooting.

The family has set up an account at 1st Convenient Bank in hopes of getting donations to help with medical expenses. Contributions can be sent to:

1st Convenience Bank
Account of Sharon Locklin for Donald Maiden Jr.
9140 Forest Lane
Dallas, TX 75243
214-221-4104

NBC 5's Ray Villeda contributed to this report.

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