Rickey Smiley Speaks On Therapy Following Daughter’s Shooting And PTSD
The radio personality gets honest about mental health after gun violence.

Source: Paras Griffin / Getty
The aftereffects of gun violence are setting in for Rickey Smiley and his daughter after she was shot multiple times over the Fourth of July weekend.
His 19-year-old daughter Aaryn Smiley had to undergo surgery after she was shot three times in Houston, Texas, according to updates from Rickey himself. He made the announcement about his daughter’s shooting on Monday morning and according to a report from Bossip, he “fought back tears as he revealed … on his morning show that he had just found out a few hours earlier that his daughter was shot while she was waiting for food at a Whataburger location in Houston.”
The details surround the shooting are still murky, including the identity of the shooter(s) and the motive behind the violence. Since the incident, Smiley has been very vocal about addressing violence within the Black community.
“All the stuff these people trying to do to fight for the rights of Black people. This is no discredit to Black Lives Matter because I believe that and I’m with that movement 110% and one has nothing to do with the other, but there are some criminals in our community that someone needs to do something about,” Rickey Smiley said on the radio Monday.
On Friday morning, Smiley went a step further and talked about therapy for victims of gun violence. He explained on his YouTube channel how the reality of his daughter’s experience is just now setting in and it’s causing him anxiety.
“That’s why therapy is important,” he said. “That’s why when you go through trauma like this man, you have to go and get therapy and get help. I’m going to see a therapist today because it not only affects me about my daughter, it conjured up feelings from when I got shot back in ’95 and I just can’t imagine what my daughter is feeling. My baby don’t bother anybody.”
On Thursday, Smiley uploaded another video with words from his daughter. According to her social media posts, she’s now experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“The doctors say I have PTSD,” she wrote in one post. “Loud noises or popping sounds make me cry. I get panic attacks way easier. The mental aspect of all this is really scary. Hopefully my mental increases with my physical!!!!”
The video also featured a clip of Aaryn, who had surgery on her leg, going through physical exercises using a walker to restore her mobility. After the clip, a graphic photo of her post-surgery leg was also featured.
Unfortunately, Aaryn was one of too many gun violence incidents over the Fourth of July weekend. According to CNN, at least six children across the country were shot and killed.
“I just pray,” said Rickey Smiley while on the air Monday. “I’m sitting up here a gunshot victim myself and I’m still up here fighting and praying for the rights of Black people and all of the parents that had to bury their loved ones due to gun violence in our own community by our own people. Absolutely disgusting.”
SEE ALSO:
What Happened To Naya Rivera? Cops Slammed For Suspending Search For Black Actress Boating With Son
Video Of Denver ‘Karen’ Following And ‘Interrogating’ Black Man Sparks Protest

Notable Black Folks Who Have Contracted The Coronavirus
Notable Black Folks Who Have Contracted The Coronavirus
1. Usain Bolt, Olympic gold medalist
1 of 54
2. Gil Bailey, radio pioneer
2 of 54Rest In Peace Gil Bailey #covid19 has taken another giant. Gil Bailey Radio. pic.twitter.com/tzrOUnAGD9
— Clark Pena (@ClarkPenaEH) April 14, 2020
3. Keisha Lance Bottoms, Atlanta mayor

4. Herman Cain, former presidential candidate

5. Ben Carson

6. Dave Chappelle, comedian

7. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman

8. Manu Dibango

9. Dennis Dickson
9 of 54#COVID19 #covidheroes #NYPD announces first employee death due to coronavirus
— Sabrina McDaniel (@Sabrina_McDa) March 27, 2020
RIP, Dennis Dickson pic.twitter.com/D10Do2p7oJ
10. Kevin Durant

11. Larry Edgeworth
11 of 54Prayers to the family of NBC’s Larry Edgeworth 💔🙏🏽 and my former colleagues at 30 Rock. He died after testing positive for #coronavirus. Larry would always offer to help me ...even after I moved to CBS. He just wanted to see another brother win. #IAmMyBrothersKeeper Rest 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/TyXbiHs30d
— DeMarco Morgan (@DeMarcoReports) March 20, 2020
12. Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds

13. Idris and Sabrina Dhowre Elba
13 of 54This morning I tested positive for Covid 19. I feel ok, I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus. Stay home people and be pragmatic. I will keep you updated on how I’m doing 👊🏾👊🏾 No panic. pic.twitter.com/Lg7HVMZglZ
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) March 16, 2020
14. Patrick Ewing, basketball legend

15. Ronald Fenty, Rihanna's dad

16. Vivica A. Fox, actress

17. Jimmy Glenn, legendary boxing trainer

19. Louis Gossett Jr., actor, philanthropist

20. Lee Green
20 of 54It is with much sadness to inform all in my SJU family that we lost Lee Green to Covid-19 today. A Parade All-American who played 3 years at #SJUBB Lee was our warrior on those teams. A true lock em up defender that relished shutting down the best opponents. RIP Lee🙏🏻 #gone2soon pic.twitter.com/X4TIPbVvoU
— Ron Linfonte (@SJU5) March 24, 2020
21. Charles Gregory, Tyler Perry's makeup artrist
21 of 54
22. Lewis Hamilton, Formula One driver

23. Samuel Hargress Jr., owner of legendary Harlem nightclub
23 of 54Thank You for your friendship Sam! 💔#RIP💔 Harlem's Paris Blues Jazz Club has been a celebrated local music joint since 1969, playing live jazz and blues nightly. It's owner and manager, Mr. Samuel Hargress Jr., has been in the club nearly every day for the past 51 years. 💫🔥💫 pic.twitter.com/oSM9Cbzzdb
— B Michael (@bmichaelAmerica) April 15, 2020
24. Conan Harris, Rep. Ayanna Pressley's husband

25. Mike Huckaby, techno music pioneer and DJ
25 of 54R.I.P Mike Huckaby. You will forever continue to change so many peoples lives with your music, technique and mentoring. These clips of Huck are from ‘Detroit The Blueprint Of Techno’ 💔 pic.twitter.com/8t8c83Uy2K
— Dark Entries Records (@darkentriesrecs) April 25, 2020
26. Callum Hudson-Odoi

27. DL Hughley, comedian
27 of 54#ThankYouForYourPrayers #TeamDL pic.twitter.com/dSQiNtsgMr
— DL Hughley (@RealDLHughley) June 21, 2020
28. Ahmed Ismail Hussein, Somali singer, 92
28 of 54BREAKING: One of Somalia’s greatest artists has died in London after contracting Corona Virus. Ahmed Ismail Hussein “Hudeydi” known as the “King of Oud” has been in hospital for four days. He was 92. pic.twitter.com/iCii8vYVVv
— Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) April 8, 2020
29. Wilson Roosevelt Jerman, former White House butler
29 of 54Tonight on @fox5dc at 10p -
— 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙬𝙣 𝙔𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙮 (@ShawnYancyTV) May 20, 2020
He served at the pleasure of 11 U.S. Presidents... during his 55 years at the White House.
Last weekend, he passed from COVID-19.
My exclusive interview with the granddaughter of White House butler, Wilson Jerman is next! pic.twitter.com/SBiXbQLiud
30. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
30 of 54
31. Brad "Scarface" Jordan

32. DeAndre Jordan, NBA star

33. Tim Lester, NFL star

34. James Mahoney, pulmonologist
34 of 54Dr. James Mahoney at University Hospital of Brooklyn pic.twitter.com/SXBxNlzApr
— Lieutenant Kijé (@BrianLemaire2) May 19, 2020
35. Ellis Marsalis Jr.

36. DeRay McKesson

37. Von Miller

38. Donovan Mitchell
38 of 54
39. Wisconsin Rep. Rep. Gwen Moore

40. Lloyd Porter, small business owner in Brooklyn
40 of 54Devastated to hear Lloyd Porter has pass away from covid19. Lloyd was a pillar in Brooklyn. His coffee shop Breadstuy is where I met some of my closest friends. He sometimes hired people with records that couldn't easily find work. He believed in community. Rest well Brother
— Blitz Bazawule (@BlitzAmbassador) May 7, 2020
🙏🏿🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/t5Ai3iASt8
41. Charley Pride, country music legend

42. Biden Adviser, Rep. Cedric Richmond

43. Arnie Robinson Jr., Olympian
43 of 54Arnie Robinson Jr., who won the gold medal in the long jump at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, died on Dec. 2 at his home in San Diego. He was 72. https://t.co/lYnpSbWkzO
— NYT Sports (@NYTSports) December 16, 2020
44. Wallace Roney

45. Marcus Smart
45 of 5446. Shaka Smart, University Of Texas Men's Basketball Coach

47. Troy Sneed, gospel singer

48. Oliver "DJ Black N Mild" Stokes Jr.
48 of 54New Orleans bounce DJ and radio personality Black N Mild has died after testing positive for coronavirus. For the past 25 years, he also deejayed at countless clubs, parties and other private events across the southeast. pic.twitter.com/2e6mnKhiXQ
— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) March 21, 2020
49. Carole Sutton, actress

50. Jeffrey "DJ Jazzy Jeff" Townes
50 of 5451. Karl-Anthony Towns, NBA star

52. Karl-Anthony Towns' parents, Jacqueline Cruz and Karl-Anthony Towns Sr.
52 of 54Enjoyed chatting with the proud parents of @KarlTowns down here in Florida. Awesome people. pic.twitter.com/xg9v2Hpazz
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) February 5, 2017
53. Juan Williams, Fox News Host

54. Randall Woodfin, Mayor of Birmingham, Alabama

Notable Black Folks Who Have Contracted The Coronavirus
[caption id="attachment_3922658" align="alignnone" width="728"] Source: askmenow / Getty[/caption] UPDATED: 2:15 p.m. ET, Jan. 25, 2021 -- After months of seeing the coronavirus ravage other parts of the world, COVID-19's widespread effect on the U.S. has increasingly hit home for many Americans as states see as a continuous stream of people become diagnosed with the respiratory illness that turned into a global pandemic. And after a brief spate of the fake news that Black people were somehow immune to contracting the coronavirus, a steady and troubling number of Black folks -- including those who are notable and famous -- have not only since been diagnosed but many have also died of complications from it. Men's college basketball coach Shaka Smart announced Jan. 25 that he has tested positive for the coronavirus. Smart tweeted the news as his University of Texas Longhorns team were enjoying major success this season. Scroll down to read more about Smart's COVID-19 status. https://twitter.com/HookEmSmart/status/1353751832326250500?s=20 Comedian Dave Chappelle is the latest Black celebrity to contract the coronavirus, a reminder of the pandemic's harsh effects on Black communities. A spokesperson confirmed his diagnosis with the Associated Press. He is said to be asymptomatic and resting in isolation. A series of comedic appearances at the Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater in Austin, Texas have been cancelled for the indefinite future. https://twitter.com/hunterw/status/1352473400544010240?s=20 Since the onset of the coronavirus Chappelle has held a socially distanced comedy show in his hometown of Yellow Springs, Ohio. On an episode of "My Next Guest," with David Letterman he shared that the shows have helped revitalize the tightly knit community in a time of great despair. Because of the warmer climate Chappelle opted to moved the shows to Austin. During a 2020 November episode of "Saturday Night Live," where Chappelle served as host he gave a timely, yet comedic analysis of the virus. “Do you guys remember what life was like before Covid?” he said. “I do. There was a mass shooting every week. Anyone remember that? Thank God for Covid. Someone had to lock these murderous whites up and keep them in the house.” After suffering the devastating loss of his mother from COVID-19 in 2020, NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns announced he tested positive on Jan. 15. "Prior to tonight's game, I received yet another awful call that I tested positive for COVID. I will immediately isolate and follow every protocol," the 25-year-old Minnesota Timberwolves center shared on Twitter. https://twitter.com/KarlTowns/status/1350223070376595460?s=20 "I pray every day that this nightmare of a virus will subside and I beg everyone to continue to take it seriously by taking all of the necessary precautions. We cannot stop the spread of this virus alone, it must be a group effort by all of us," he continued. Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley's husband Conan Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday days after he was placed in lockdown with his wife during the mob attack on Capitol Hill last week, CBS Boston reports. Pressley has tested negative. Harris was in the nation's capitol accompanying Pressley for her swearing-in ceremony after she won her re-election in November. On Wednesday Pressley thanked her supporters for well wishes on Twitter. "Thank you for your notes of care and concern. I'm deeply frustrated my husband & staff were put in this position. We're thinking of all the families across the nation impacted by COVID & the Jan. 6 attack. We wont' stop fighting for accountability & relief," she tweeted. https://twitter.com/AyannaPressley/status/1349476568016547840?s=20 Tim Lester, a former NFL star who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Rams, and Dallas Cowboys, died on Jan. 12 from COVID-19 complications. He was 52. https://twitter.com/SteeIerNation/status/1349102284974780417?s=20 New Jersey congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman announced she was diagnosed with the coronavirus on Monday. Watson Coleman, a cancer survivor, shared she believes she was exposed to COVID-19 last Wednesday during the U.S. Capitol attack, as several of her colleagues refused to wear a mask. Later on Monday she updated her followers letting them know that she was on her way to the hospital to seek an antibody treatment. https://twitter.com/RepBonnie/status/1348744425862799362?s=20 Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, has been hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia, the Alabama city announced. The 39-year-old had been experiencing mild symptoms and was self-quarantined until his hospitalization, AL.com reported. Scroll down to read more about Woodfin's condition. https://twitter.com/cityofbhamal/status/1346307569854328833?s=20 Legendary actor Louis Gossett Jr., was diagnosed with the coronavirus but left his local hospital this week out of fear, where he saw a series of COVID-related deaths during his stay according to TMZ. The Oscar winner checked out on Tuesday after staff reportedly begged him to stay out concern for his health. Gossett is 84-years-old and a cancer survivor. He is currently at home isolating under the care of his son. His supporters are asking people to share encouraging messages on social media using the hashtag, #LoveLetterToLou. [caption id="attachment_4070862" align="alignnone" width="708"] Source: Bob Riha Jr / Getty[/caption] Wisconsin Rep. Gwen Moore announced Monday that she tested positive for the coronavirus. The Democratic Congresswoman said that while she was "feeling well," she cautioned people to take the proper precautions. https://twitter.com/RepGwenMoore/status/1343675101972226049?s=20 Previously, Joe Biden adviser Rep. Cedric Richmond tested positive for the coronavirus. He later tested positive for a second time and planned to isolate for 14 days to recover. Richardson travelled to Georgia as well as the president-elect, but was not in close contact. Biden ultimately tested negative. https://twitter.com/scottwongDC/status/1339707399809216522?s=20 Olympic gold medalist Arnie Robinson Jr. died on Dec. 2 from complications relating to COVID-19 at age 72. Robinson was known as one of the greatest long jumpers in history. https://twitter.com/nytsports/status/1339195601670590464?s=12 Country music legend Charley Pride and actress Carole Sutton died after contracting the coronavirus. Scroll down to read more about them. https://twitter.com/ava/status/1337562418319265792?s=20 https://twitter.com/violadavis/status/1338143169595236354?s=20 Formula One superstar Lewis Hamilton tested positive for the coronavirus, according to CBS News. Hamilton will have to sit out the Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain. He was tested three times last week which all resulted negative, with the last test taking place on Sunday. "But he up woke Monday morning with mild symptoms and was informed at the same time that a contact prior to arrival in Bahrain had subsequently tested positive," the Mercedes team said in a released statement. "Lewis, therefore, took a further test and returned a positive result. This has since been confirmed by a retest." [caption id="attachment_4057716" align="alignnone" width="738"] Source: Mario Renzi - Formula 1 / Getty[/caption] It was in that context that it was announced Nov. 9 that Ben Carson, the world-renowned health physician who is also the Housing and Urban Development secretary, has tested positive for the coronavirus. Word spread quickly on social media about Carson's diagnosis. The health disclosure came just days after Donald Trump's election loss was made official on Saturday, a truth that also affects Carson's role in the presidential administration that's being brought to a close by Joe Biden's successful candidacy. https://twitter.com/jemelehill/status/1325838108349222912?s=20 Carson is the latest Trump insider to test positive for the coronavirus. Scroll down here to read more about Carson contracting the Covid-19. Prior to that, Vivica A. Fox announced the 56-year-old actress made the announcement ahead of her hosting duties for the E! network's live coverage of the red-carpet pre-Emmy Awards show in September. “I am terribly sorry I cannot be with my E! family tonight!” Fox said in a statement. “Unfortunately, I have tested positive for coronavirus. So, in an abundance of caution, I am isolating myself at home.” https://twitter.com/KolaBoof3/status/1307830756484345857?s=20 It was immediately unclear how Fox contracted the coronavirus. Luckily, that wasn't the case for Hollywood superstar Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who announced that he, his wife and their two young daughters had all tested positive for the coronavirus. While he said they had all recovered, he also admitted on an Instagram video that he and his wife "had a rough go" with COVID-19 and encouraged people to wear masks so they don't meet the same fate that he and his family did. His daughters are 2- and 4-years-old. [caption id="attachment_4007483" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Source: NBC / Getty[/caption] Other notable Black folks who contracted the coronavirus include former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, who died from it in July; Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms; comedian D.L. Hughley; and even basketball legend Patrick Ewing came down with it. The diagnoses have effectively shattered misconceptions about who can contract the coronavirus. Previously, it was believed that the elderly with underlying health conditions were most at risk. And while that remains true, there has seemingly been a surge of cases involving younger age groups and people who had no pre-existing health conditions before their COVID-19 diagnoses. The cases don't account for the reports of a growing number of Black people who have been diagnosed with or died of complications from the coronavirus that have seeming flooded this writer's social media timelines as friends and others grieve their loved ones across the country. One of the clearest indications that Black people could indeed contract the coronavirus came when it began to affect players in the NBA, a professional sports league that is made up of more than 74 percent of players who are Black. After that came announcements from celebrities who offered cautionary tales to the public about how they may have contracted the illness and ways to prevent others from repeating their errors. There was also an alarming report out of Milwaukee at the start of the pandemic showing middle-aged Black men have made up the majority of coronavirus cases in the Wisconsin city. The nation's system of prisons and jails has also been affected, leaving the disproportionate number of Black inmates increasingly susceptible to the coronavirus. That was especially true in New York, including at the infamous Rikers Island complex where CBS News reported that the coronavirus infection rate is "more than seven times higher than the rate citywide and 87 times higher than the country at large." https://twitter.com/MollyGriffard/status/1242521472083640322?s=20 In addition, the nation's police departments were at risk for the same reasons as the jails and prisons. Most recently, Donafay Collins, a commander with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office in Michigan, died following complications from the coronavirus. He was 63 years old. https://twitter.com/VickiethomasWWJ/status/1242974843072655360?s=20 More than a dozen other Wayne County Sheriff's Office employees have also been diagnosed following a pattern seen at other police departments, including the NYPD, where the New York Post reported that more than 300 cops have tested positive. Scroll down to see a list of notable Black folks who have contracted the coronavirus as the world tries to flatten the global curve of cases to restore some semblance of societal normalcy. They follow in alphabetical order.
Rickey Smiley Speaks On Therapy Following Daughter’s Shooting And PTSD was originally published on newsone.com