Intern for Sen. Tim Scott shot in Chicago after returning home from D.C.
An intern for South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott was shot by a stray bullet in Chicago just after completing his internship with the Senator's office, according to Roll Call. The outlet reports that 23-year old DaQuawn Bruce is currently recovering in physical therapy.
Scott's office said in a statement to CBS News that the Senator visited Bruce at his home after the shooting, and praised his "optimism and strength" despite the pain from his injuries. "DaQuawn has an exceptionally bright future and I cannot wait to see him recover and excel in everything he puts his mind to," Scott added.
Bruce was interning with the Republican's office as part of the "College to Congress" program, which helps provide financial support to cover interns' costs of clothing, transportation, housing and meals while serving on Capitol Hill, typically in unpaid positions.
Audrey Henson, Founder & CEO, College to Congress, said in a statement to CBS News, "At College to Congress, our goal is to support our interns in every phase of their lives. College to Congress was inspired by my own personal story, but students like DaQuawn are the reason why we do what we do."
Henson added, "DaQuawn does not let his circumstances define him and he is a powerful voice for his community. After learning about the shooting, I created the GoFundMe to support his long road to recovery. My team and I cannot wait for him to get back on his feet and we look forward to celebrating his future career as a public servant."
According to a GoFundMe page set up to raise funds for Bruce, a bullet entered the graduate student's lower abdomen where it fractured his pelvis. While Bruce undergoes physical therapy to relearn how to walk, no vital organs were reportedly damaged. Money raised from the online fundraiser will go towards Bruce's medical bills, physical therapy costs and an apartment within walking distance to his graduate school classes.
Upon an accelerated graduation he plans to return to Washington, D.C. to work in Congress.
The shooting came just days after 12 people were killed and 54 wounded in a series of shootings across four neighborhoods on Chicago's south and west sides over the course of one weekend. Scott, who's own state experienced a tragic mass shooting at a historic black church in 2015, previously told "Face the Nation" that legislation to ban bump stock devices would "fly through Congress."