Calli Vanderaa, shot with stolen RCMP gun, says her dad keeps her strong

Calli Vanderaa is lucky to be alive. She's still in the Health Sciences Centre recovering from a gunshot wound that pierced her spleen, colon and lungs.

The gun used was stolen from an RCMP cruiser in the southeast part of Winnipeg. Two men have been charged.

The 16-year-old spoke to CBC News from the intensive care unit in hospital with her dad at her side. She's craving a Slurpee and a stir-fry and reflecting on what could have been the outcome.

"All I remember is the two police officers standing over me, and all I remember saying is 'Where's my dad? I'm going to die,'" Calli said, adding her best friend was with her at a Mac's store when it happened Friday night.

Vanderaa called police herself after realizing she was shot, then she passed the phone to her friend.

"She put her hand down on my wound and she was talking to the police and police got there in like three minutes," she said. "I was in the wrong place at the wrong time I guess."

She credits the special relationship with her dad for helping her pull through.

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The father and daughter have been through a lot in 16 years. Since Calli was born, it's been just the two of them.

"He's my best friend," Calli said.

"All my friends, all my family: we raised her tough, I raised her on my own, I raised her to be tough," said Corey Vanderaa, Calli's dad.

Corey has worked numerous jobs to provide his daughter with a happy home life.

Before Calli was born, Vanderaa had to find the strength to overcome another tragedy. His three-year-old daughter died. She had cerebral palsy.

Calli says the moment she was shot, all she could think about was that her dad was going to lose her, too.  

"I've got to be strong for my dad. My dad is all I have. That's how I look at it. Where would my dad be without me.... Well, it's the truth."

The father and daughter are celebrating the fact she's getting better and stronger.

Her food cravings, though, might have to wait. This morning she had to settle for eggs on a tray — her first solid food since she was shot. 

"Hospital food is disgusting. So [I can't wait] until dad brings me something from home. But I'm thankful I can eat now, it's been a week," Calli said.

When she leaves the hospital, Calli wants to personally shake the hands of the officers who stayed by her side that night and have checked in with her every day since. 

"Thanks for being there so quickly" her dad Corey Vanderaa said. "I couldn't ask for them to be there any quicker. Three minutes. And they've been amazing. They are all dads, right? A lot of them. So they were affected."

They don't know how long Calli will be in hospital. For now, they're just happy to be together, counting the days until she can go home.

"I don't think Calli even realizes the support that she's been getting from the community, which is so nice" said Corey. "It's amazing ... this city's amazing to rally around a little girl that was hurt."