HOPE, Ind. — Hope, Indiana, is known for its surprises. One of its youngest residents, 3-year-old Kingston Perez, might be Hope's biggest surprise.
"He's excelling at everything he's doing," said Jennifer Perez, Kingston's mom. "It's just a miracle."
Kingston's parents know these happy moments with their son weren't always a guarantee.
"It's insane how much our family has went through due to this injury," Jennifer said.
In June, Kingston was in a fight for his life. 13News spoke to his father, George Perez, outside Riley Hospital for Children as Kingston was inside in a coma.
"From me to you — just like this, dead chest, center mass — shooting," George said.
He said his brother, Robbie Perez, fired shots inside the family's home that hit him in the shoulder and left Kingston critically wounded. George said he believes his brother tried to shoot him over a 17-year dispute and accidentally shot his 3-year-old nephew.
"It went in the back of his head and out probably here-ish," said George in June, pointing to his forehead.
The two were airlifted to Indianapolis hospitals as mom followed on the road.
"The whole time I was driving, I was talking to God," Jennifer said. "The whole time, the whole time asking God not to take my baby."
Multiple surgeries saved Kingston's life. His scars are a reminder of what was almost taken.
"We're past the anger and the upset, but just watching him, sometimes I do get sad," George said. "Emotional about what could have been and what is, and then, that sad turns to gratefulness."
RELATED: 3-year-old Bartholomew County boy making incredible strides after gunshot wound to the head
When Kingston got to the hospital, doctors said he might not make it, but mom and dad never lost hope. Two months later, he was back home. Today, Kingston is back in school and acting like a kid again.
"He needed a lot of assistance when we left the hospital and now, he needs no assistance," George said.
Kingston's independence is growing every day, and milestones in his recovery keep on coming.
"Our next step is to have his partial implant plate put back into his skull, so he doesn't have to wear the helmet anymore," George said.
Here is a young life that has overcome so much and surprised so many.
"I don't understand how people don't believe in God at this point," Jennifer said.
Robbie Perez is currently facing felony charges of aggravated battery and attempted murder. His jury trial is scheduled for January.