A woman injured in a shooting in downtown New Braunfels over the weekend is now being identified by friends as an uninvolved bystander, as a fundraiser on her behalf has surpassed $12,000.
According to the New Braunfels Police Department, three people were injured in a shooting that occurred early Sunday morning, May 3, in the 100 block of North Seguin Avenue. Police said Josiah Anthony Arevalo was arrested and charged after allegedly firing multiple shots at two men following a physical altercation. A 25-year-old woman, believed to be an unintended victim, was also struck.
All three victims, including two 25-year-olds and a 27-year-old man, were transported to area hospitals and are now listed in stable condition.
In the days since the shooting, a GoFundMe allegedly created by a friend of one of the victims has identified the woman as Kaylee, describing her as someone who was “simply picking up a friend from the bars” when the gunfire broke out. The reason her friends claim to have started the GoFundMe is that “she would never ask for help herself,” the organizer wrote.
According to the fundraiser, Kaylee was walking back to her car when the shooting began. As she attempted to run from the scene, she was struck in the lower back, just inches from her spine, with the bullet exiting through her leg. She also suffered significant bruising to her knees after falling multiple times while trying to escape.
“It’s honestly hard to put into words how terrifying this was, and how lucky she is to still be here,” the post states.
As of 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, the fundraiser has raised more than $14,000.
Police said the two men who were shot were involved in the earlier altercation with Arevalo. Investigators believe the woman was not the intended target. Authorities allege Arevalo left the scene in a vehicle, then later encountered the men walking downtown and fired from a handgun while driving away.
Arevalo later turned himself in without incident and was booked into the Comal County Jail on three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Officials said additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.