A Filipino-American teen was left "permanently impaired" after she was shot through the right eye in California last weekend.
Jessica Dimalanta, 19, was reportedly attending a car stunt show with her friends in San Francisco on Sunday, March 21, when a group of men suddenly opened fire at the vehicle she was riding in.
Aside from Dimalanta, one of her friends was also reportedly hit, while the other three friends were safe. The suspects fled the scene.
Dimalanta was brought to UCSF Mission Bay Hospital and was later transferred to San Francisco General Hospital in non-life-threatening condition.
Authorities have not yet confirmed if the incident was a hate crime.
The family of Dimalanta, however, claimed that she was targeted for being Asian.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to help Dimalanta with her medical expenses, which has so far raised over $38,000.
According to his uncle, Dexter Martin, a bullet went "straight through her right eye," leaving Dimalanta "permanently impaired."
"While doctors were able to remove the shell, fragments still are embedded in her face, and she is unable to chew and speak without pain," he wrote in the page.
Dimalanta also tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while in the hospital, forcing her to undergo quarantine.
"Jessica will need medical care, is afraid for her life, and does not want to go outside because she fears something else is going to happen to her."
Those who also want to help Dimalanta may go to this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/justiceforjessicadimalanta