I was shot 11 times on October 30, 2012, and it is a day I’ll never forget. I lost someone very close to me that day, as well. Eriana Carr, someone I considered a sister, lost her life at 16, and this has haunted me for almost 12 years.
My friend was dating a guy, and he was not a good man. He tried to take my life over an argument that he and I had a couple days prior. I thought I was going to die. Eriana and I were walking home on the night of the 30th when a car pulled up on the side of us and let off over 30 shots — 11 of which pierced into my skin. I got up and walked over to Eriana, who was unresponsive. I did it because the only thing more important to me than getting out of sight, scared he would come back, was to check on my little sister. She was shot in the heart, so she did not make it. And I was left with that. What hurts most now is how forgotten or overlooked I feel survivors are and the lack of help and resources to heal and progress.