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MISHAWAKA—
Eighteen-year-old Chelsee Gayer had big plans this summer before beginning classes in the fall at Indiana University South Bend.And none of them involved being shot.
The fun she had envisioned was snatched away in a matter of seconds during a get-together with friends June 25 at a home in the 700 block of Ann Street in Mishawaka.
A bullet went through the outside of her right leg in the thigh area, out the other side, through the inside of her left leg -- shattering her left femur -- and out again.
One bullet. Four wounds.
Her best friend's boyfriend, a 20-year-old Mishawaka man, is alleged to have accidentally fired the gun that struck Gayer. He is listed as the suspect.
Mishawaka police have sent the case reports to the St. Joseph County prosecutor's office with a recommendation that a criminal recklessness charge be filed. Police said they believe the shooting was accidental.
A charging decision had not been made as of Tuesday.
More than a week later, Gayer is still in intense pain and heavily bandaged. She had 24 staples put in her left leg, two blood transfusions and is not allowed to put weight on her left leg. She gets around when she can with crutches.
"I can't do anything," she said.
She will begin physical therapy in the next couple of weeks and hopes to be able to attend classes in the fall.
"I don't want to be around a gun again -- for the rest of my life," the recent Mishawaka High School graduate said during an interview at her family's North Main Street home.
"I didn't like it. I always told him to put it away."
The incident occurred about 10:30 p.m. when about six friends were gathering around at the Ann Street home, where Gayer's best friend lives and the suspect often stays.
Gayer said she had seen the gun -- which belongs to another man who sometimes lives at the home -- on several occasions.
Gayer said she and the suspect had been joking around for a while. At one point the suspect reportedly said: "Hush, I'll shoot you, punk." She said he was just kidding.
However, about five minutes after he said that, Gayer turned and saw the suspect cock the gun. She turned away because she said the man often is seen holding the gun and she didn't see it as a big deal.
She then heard a shot and fell to the ground.
Gayer said the suspect ran up to her and said: "I'm so sorry, I didn't know the clip was in there."
