Teen injured in recent University area violence hopes to walk again

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Three weeks ago, one teen’s life changed in an instant.

DeJanae, 19, can't walk and is confined to a wheelchair after she was shot in November during a crime of road rage near UNC Charlotte's campus.
 
"I knew something was wrong so instantly I panicked," Dejanae said.
 
It happened on Pavilion Boulevard after the teenager and two friends left a convenience store.

She said three men were standing outside the store when they walked out.
 
"They said something and it rubbed one of my friends the wrong way," she said.  
 
"I was just trying my best to diffuse the situation because I'm not from here, I don't know what these people are capable of," she added.
 
Dejanae said she and her friends drove away but the suspects followed and, pulled up right behind their car. Dejane was sitting in the backseat of the car and immediately heard a gunshot.
 
"I just heard one and that's probably the one that hit me because as soon as I heard it my body just felt different," Dejanae said.
 
Dejanae was shot in her upper back.
 
This was just one among the rash of crimes that's happened near UNC Charlotte's campus in the past month.
 
Channel 9 was there last night as management at University House apartments held a meeting with parents and students about the outbreak in violence.
 
Management said they have increased security and added more cameras.
 
Dejanae is now faced with months and months of physical therapy, which is costly.
 
"I've created a GoFundMe account for those who'd like to help," she said.
 
DeJanae is going back to California still in some pain and is undergoing physical  therapy for four hours a day.
 
"I'm looking at it as temporary because I do have hopes that I will walk and feel again," she said.
 
"I can feel pressure in my feet and my thighs," she added.

WSOC