CINCINNATI — After 150 days in the hospital, one of Cincinnati’s youngest shooting survivors returned home with his family Monday.

Marcellus "MJ" Whitehead was hospitalized in June after stray bullets hit him while he was walking near his Westwood home.

His mother, Marcella Thompson, called WCPO 9News Monday to let us know doctors had released her son.

RELATED: Shooting of 6- and 8-year-olds ranks Westwood among the top for city gun violence this year

“I’m on my way now to get my baby dressed and bring him home,” said Thompson. ”You know, let him feel this air! Let him breathe some fresh air!”

It was June 12, and the 8-year-old was about to have family movie night at his home when his mother allowed him to walk to the corner store with his older cousin. That’s when someone began shooting. MJ was caught in the crossfire and bullets hit him in the head and leg.

“We spent months and months praying and at the hospital and in our church. Our pastor prayed for us. I posted my baby in different prayer groups. Not only our prayer helped, but different prayers from people around the world, you know, people who didn’t know us,” said Thompson.

Her son was an active third-grader who loved to play football. Suddenly, he was in a medically induced coma for nearly two months, on a ventilator, feeding tube and undergoing more than five surgeries.

”I know my baby wasn't giving up, because I know his heart, and I know what he's like,” said Thompson. “I know what it's like to be in his presence. I mean, he's always been determined.”

There have been times when she has had to face the accused shooter in court, Darius Harris, who is 19.

Time when she would ask for peace as Cincinnati’s gun violence began impacting more innocent children.

In her son’s case alone, police say bullets hit five people: the suspected shooter, an 18-year-old, 6-year-old MiShawn Elliot, and a bullet ended up in a 7-year-old’s shoe.

“This causes a lot of trauma to families,” said Thompson.

All the while, MJ kept healing.

RELATED: Westwood shooting victim Marcellus Whitehead out of coma, breathing on his own

“He do open his eyes. He do respond to our voices, and he do move his tongue a little. So, I know he will be talking soon,” said Thompson.

She says paramedics will bring him home on his hospital bed. He will have nursing care there, but he will be back in time for the holidays.

“I knew that my baby was going to be okay, and I’m going to say it again. My baby will be okay. You know, this is only the beginning.”

CINCINNATI — An 8-year-old boy who was shot in the head in East Westwood June 12 is now out of a coma and breathing on his own, according to his mother.

Marcellus Whitehead, who goes by MJ, was walking to a nearby store with his big brother when he was struck. He’s been in the ICU ever since. His mother, Marcella Thompson, said he’s improving slowly, but steadily.

“It’s better than before,” she said. “I’ll tell you that. Every little thing that improves is working toward progress. That’s all that matters to me. From ‘he’s not going to make it through the night’ to where I’m at today, I’m happy with that.”

The incident which resulted in Marcellus’ injury happened in broad daylight outside of a convenience store.

“People don’t think before they act, you know?” Thompson said. “They don’t think about other people, or their families. Any of that. It’s frustrating to see this senseless stuff going on.”

She said MJ was taken off of a ventilator after 60 days. He’s alert and breathing on his own. He’s currently fighting off fluid on the brain, but he’s been able to move his arms and legs.

“He’s definitely a fighter,” Thompson said. “He’s got a lot of fight in him.”

East Westwood Community Council president Rodney Christian gathers kids of all ages to try and reverse a trend.

“Don’t waste opportunities to talk to kids,” he said. “They’re here for basketball and that hoop, but you can also take that and use it as bait. Put it on a hook and reel it in to talk about something else.”

The Third Presbyterian Church operates a rec center with basketball courts every weekday from 3:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. to give area kids something constructive to do with their time.

“We have to fight for MJ right now,” Christian said. “Out here. On making a change.”

Her life changed in an instant – and now Marcella Thompson said she tries to focus on the positive.

“I tell him (MJ) every day how strong he is,” she said. “I think that gets him through it. I think me seeing how strong he is gets me through it. I have a lot of faith and a lot of hope.”

Three days after the shooting, Darius Harris Jr., 19, was charged with four counts of felonious assault for firing the shots that injured Whitehead and three others. He is currently being held in the Hamilton County Jail and is awaiting trial.