Broward mom of three describes moment a stray bullet hit her outside her home: "I felt my life leaving"
A beleaguered Lauderhill woman was struck by a stray bullet outside her home this past weekend and believes she could have been killed. She shared her story exclusively with CBS News Miami.
"I am hot. I am on fire. I am hot and I am mad," 56-year-old Maxine Flemings said. "What upsets me so much is that they wouldn't go to their house and shoot up. They go to your house and shoot up in your own yard."
Broward mother of three confined to wheelchair
Flemings, a mother of three children and a home health aide, showed CBS News Miami how she is confined to a wheelchair after being shot and after spending a day at the hospital.
Lauderhill police said it was about 7:30 p.m. Sunday when a ShotSpotter alert detected multiple rounds being fired outside Fleming's home in the 3100 block of NW 2nd Street. She was transported to Broward Health Medical Center and said she returned home on Monday.
Lauderhill police searching for two suspects
Police said two people were seen leaving the area right after the shooting and are working to identify them. They said they do not yet have a motive.
Flemings said it began around 6 p.m. when a group of people were arguing outside her home, and she told them to leave. About 90 minutes later, she said, they returned and gunfire erupted.
According to the preliminary investigation, police said a gathering had been taking place at the victim's home when the altercation escalated and shots were fired.
She said a stray bullet pierced her left thigh and showed how a large white bandage was strapped around her wound.
"He was shooting at another boy in my yard. I got struck right here in my left leg, and it went through right here and went through my butt. My butt even has a hole in it," Flemings said.
Victim describes bleeding inside home
"After I got shot, I went in my house and I bled all throughout my house. I bled on my couches. I bled on a whole lot of places. I felt my life leaving," she said.
Flemings said she did not recognize or know those who were involved in the shooting.
"They should think about what they are doing because it is innocent people who have nothing to do with the drama you are all going through. It would mean a lot to me if they got caught because I am tired," she said.
Unable to work during recovery
"I am worried because I am not able to work right now as a home health aide, and I will be in this wheelchair until my wound heals," Flemings said.
A spokeswoman for Lauderhill police told CBS News Miami that they could use any help the public can provide.
The incident remains under investigation, and anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Lauderhill Police Department at 954-497-4700, or the Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477 (TIPS).