According to the woman’s husband, Branden Stevanus, she "is paralyzed on half of her body."
A woman was shot at around 5:30 p.m. Sunday on Interstate 85 in front of her husband and two children. She has been identified as Heather Stevanus by a GoFundMe campaign started by her friends. According to officials, the mother-of-two and her family were returning home from a Monster Jam show in Greenville, South Carolina when they were involved in what is being called a “possible road rage” shooting, reports WSB-TV.
Branden Stevanus, his wife Heather and their 3 and 6-year-old children were heading down I-85 southbound as their good friends were following behind them. 🙏 https://t.co/mJBKOQUOe1
— KENS 5 (@KENS5) January 10, 2023
According to the fundraiser, which has so far raised $6,235 for the family, the driver of a BMW opened fire on the family van "hitting Heather in the head and narrowly missing the two children in the back. Heather was airlifted to a hospital and is fighting hard to recover." Currently, she is able to make small responses but has a long road to recovery. Heather is described as "a kind, funny, wonderful mom who did not deserve this act of hateful violence." While she is surrounded by her loving friends and family to help her recover, her friends are asking for any donation that can help the family with medical expenses. "Any little bit will be a huge gift for them in this time of need," the fundraiser page stated.
According to the woman’s husband, Branden Stevanus, she "is paralyzed on half of her body," reports FOX Carolina. “I am informing everyone, Heather has had multiple bullet fragments and a very large portion of the bullet removed from her head. But still, some are too deep to surgically remove. She is still sedated and a little more responsive this morning. But is paralyzed on half of her body, just have a long road ahead to go,” he said in a statement.
According to the woman’s husband, Branden Stevanus, his wife has a long road ahead of her for recovery. https://t.co/6raDDGQh1y
— WLBT 3 On Your Side (@WLBT) January 10, 2023
Her close friends and family are hoping for the best. Dillon Long, a family friend told WYFF4, Stevanus remains in the hospital. Detailing her condition, Long said, "She's in a state where she's not talking, she's got breathing tubes and all that stuff, but she can respond to you, feel your grip, she hears you, she can see you, so there's full anticipation for a great recovery, just a slow one." Long added that this horrible act of violence "couldn't have happened to a more undeserving woman." Long further said, "She's very quiet, very soft-spoken, very respectful, great reputation around this town."
Investigators believe a man driving a dark 2017 BMW SUV is suspected of the shooting and was heading toward Georgia after the incident.
South Carolina: Oconee Co. deputies investigating after road rage shooting along I-85 https://t.co/yipLtbpk05
— WRBL News 3 (@wrblnews3) January 9, 2023
If you have any details regarding the incident, you are urged to contact CrimeStoppers at oconeecrimestoppers.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward if the tip results in an arrest.
References:
https://www.foxcarolina.com/2023/01/09/road-closed-multiple-agencies-respond-incident-i-85/
https://www.gofundme.com/f/2k9v98
https://www.wyff4.com/article/gofundme-pages-georgia-mother-injured-road-rage-shooting-i-85/42449829
Cover Image Source: GoFundMe
