Blood Drive Held To Benefit Bricktown Shooting Victim

People lined up for a blood drive Saturday to help save the life of a local father gunned down Monday night in Bricktown.

News 9 talked to shooting victim, Norman Richards' mother Saturday. Richards remains in critical condition, but his family and friends are doing all they can to make sure he improves. Richards' mother says she is overwhelmed by all the support.

"We need to stay focused on Michael. His name is Norman, but to me he's Michael. That's my baby," said Richards' mother, Elonda Quinn-Powell.

5/25/2012 Related Story: Blood Drive In OKC Saturday To Benefit Bricktown Shooting Victim

Quinn-Powell was too emotional to talk on camera Saturday, but she spoke with us this weekend to say one thing.

"I'd like to thank everyone in Oklahoma City for praying for my son and donating the blood; not only saving my son's life but saving other people's lives," Quinn-Powell said.

But Quinn-Powell is also here to dispel fears about the very streets where her son almost lost his life.

"We're also wanting people to know it's safe to go downtown," she said. "[It was just] one incident. Just keep praying for us."

5/24/2012 Related Story: Family, Friends Rush To The Aid Of Victim In Bricktown Shooting

While News 9 talked with Richards' family outside the blood donation bus, Bricktown Association Director, Jeannette Smith was donating blood inside. Bricktown411 took to social media to encourage Thunder fans and downtown businesses to donate blood at the Quail Springs blood drive from 11- 4 p.m.

"We're giving blood on Norman's behalf," Smith said.

The family prays for all the victims of Monday night's shooting and even for the teen who police say confessed to the crime.

"When we pray, we ask everyone, don't just pray for Norman but pray for their [suspect's] family too. And everyone else's families that were there," Quinn-Powell said.

5/22/2012 Related Story: One Victim Critical, Seven Recovering Following Shooting In Bricktown After Thunder Game

Mom says Richards is getting stronger.

"He's alert, but keep him sedated when he sees you and you talk he wants to talk but he writes and he tries to write," she said.

T-shirts worn by Richards' family at blood drive are benefiting the shooting victims who are still recovering.

"It says by giving blood you're saving Norman's life. On the back it says ‘As well as someone else. Just give,'" said Quinn-Powell.

If you missed the blood drive Saturday, The Oklahoma Blood Institute says anyone can donate blood in Richards' behalf at any of their five locations in the metro. Just be sure to say you're donating on behalf of Norman Richards II.

Also, cash donations can be taken at Bank of Oklahoma under Norman Richards II as well.

The family says Richards is undergoing his third surgery Sunday. Police say a 16 year old has confessed to shooting him along with seven others.