Landyn's Story

A 40-caliber bullet will remain in 9-year-old Landyn Davis’ brain for the rest of his life.

“I’m angry at the people who shoot,” Landyn said. “Don’t buy guns. Don’t sell guns.”

On February 13, a shooting sent at least 26 bullets through the front wall of his Virginia Beach home. One of which entered into the bedroom where Landyn was playing video games, striking him.

The hours immediately after the shooting are a blur for Landyn’s family. His mom Emily said she didn’t sleep for the next four days.

“I’m just grateful he’s still here,” his mom Emily said. “They didn’t think he was going to make it the first 96 hours. And once it got closer to the 96 hours, your heart starts pumping, because you’re like, oh my gosh, this is Day 3. Tomorrow’s Day 4. Is he going to make it?”

Landyn was released from the hospital after 91 days, just before his ninth birthday in May. He’s defied the odds, but every tiny improvement comes at a cost.

Since Landyn came out of his coma, he has spent months in grueling occupational, physical, mental and speech therapy appointments. He has slowly-but-surely regained his ability to speak and swallow but it will be a long time before he can hopefully walk again. 

Doctors chose to leave the bullet in an effort not to damage any more healthy tissue since the bullet was sterile due to the friction generated. Attempting to remove it would have potentially caused more harm than good. 

In 2023, 21 children and adolescents died as a result of gunshot wounds in Hampton Roads, making up more than a third of the state’s child deaths due to gun violence. Almost four times that number, 82, were treated for firearm injuries in Hampton Roads emergency departments.