OAKLAND, Calif. -- The family of an Oakland boy paralyzed by a bullet fired in a robbery will be getting thousands of dollars to put towards a wheelchair van and other equipment thanks to the boy's classmates.

What started as a bake sale is expanding into a community fundraising effort, with fifth graders at Oakland's Crocker Highlands Elementary School so far raising $30,000 to donate to the family of ten-year-old Christopher Rodriguez.

Christopher was left paralyzed from the waste down when a bullet went through a wall of a music school where he was taking piano lessons last week.

Dr. Jacob Neufeld a pediatric physician at Children's Hospital Oakland, where Christopher Rodriguez is in fair condition in the intensive care unit following the shooting incident at a music school said Christopher would remain hospitalized indefinitely and then will undergo therapy aimed at teaching him how do things on his own.

The goal is for Christopher "to be a fully independent young man again," said Neufeld, who was joined by boy's parents at a news conference at the hospital to provide an update on his condition.

In response to a reporter's question, Jennifer Rodriguez, Christopher's mother, said, "As a parent, of course you wish for a miracle because you have to have hope."

She said, "You always hope for a miracle because otherwise you won't get through the day."

Richard Rodriguez, the boy's father, was more glum, saying, "What can you say when your son has been shot and never will walk again?"

Rodriguez said, "All the possibilities and dreams he (Christopher) had have to be changed. It's a different world."

Jennifer Rodriguez said that when Christopher leaves the hospital, the family, which currently lives in a house with stairs, will have to move to a new residence that's handicapped accessible and get a van in which to transport him.

Richard Rodriguez said, "As a result of his injuries, we don't have time to work, so funds are needed for a lot of things."

He said Christopher is starting to ask questions about what happened to him, at one point asking why he was shot in the back and whether the shooter was trying to kill him.

Rodriguez said that when he told his son he thinks the shooting was accidental, Christopher said, "I feel much better."

Neufeld said the bullet went through Christopher's left side and ripped through his kidney, spleen and spinal cord, causing paralysis below his waist.

However, he said the boy "has full strength in his upper extremities" and is able to play video games while he's in the hospital.

Neufeld said Christopher's injuries have affected his bowel and bladder, so he can't eat normal food at this point and suffers from a low-grade fever.

He said Christopher currently is receiving a liquid form of nutrition but he hopes the boy will be able to ear normally in a day or two.

Christopher's 5th grade classmates at Crocker Highlands Elementary School in Oakland held a bake sale to raise money for their friend on Wednesday and raked in an astonishing 30,000 dollars with the help of corporate contributions.

The Oakland A's donated $5,000 to the worthy cause, while Oakland institution Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream company gave an additional $3,000. The Pacific Automotive Corporation has committed to matching funds as well.

According to Oakland police spokesman Roland Holmgren, the bullet that injured Christopher was from one of several shots fired during a robbery attempt at a Chevron gas station at 4400 Piedmont Ave. at Pleasant Valley Road about 4:30 p.m. Thursday and traveled across the street and into the Harmony Road Music School, where he was taking a lesson.

Several police officers were completing a traffic accident investigation in the area when they heard the gunshots from the robbery and citizens directed them to the suspects' vehicle, which was speeding away from the scene, according to Holmgren.

The officers chased the vehicle as it sped west on Pleasant Valley Road, continuing to the intersection of 51st Street and Telegraph Avenue, where it struck another vehicle and a parked car, Holmgren said.

The driver, 24-year-old Jared Adams of Oakland, was detained by officers as he attempted to flee on foot, Holmgren said.

Witnesses identified Adams as the robber and the shooter and officers arrested him for multiple felony charges, according to Holmgren. He said Adams has a prior criminal record, including a prior gun conviction.

Officers recovered a loaded firearm in the vehicle, Holmgren said.

Holmgren said the passenger of the vehicle was identified as Maeve Clifford, who also was arrested.

Adams has been charged with willful, deliberate and premeditated murder, robbery, evading a police officer and being an ex-felon in possession of a gun. He could face life in prison if he's convicted.

Clifford is charged with robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

Richard Rodriguez said, "We need to do something about guns. There's too many guns on the street."