A Missouri family is grappling with an unimaginable tragedy after a beloved nursing student was shot in the head by a road rage driver. JayLee Gross, 19, was enjoying a date night on May 3 with her boyfriend, Damon Culter, in Kansas City when they received a call to assist a friend stranded with a flat tire.
The Incident
After helping the friend fix the tire, the couple headed back to their home in Leavenworth. While merging onto US 71, a speeding vehicle in the right lane swerved around their car, forcing them to slam on their brakes, according to Bradley Gross, JayLee's father, speaking to The Kansas City Star. Culter, who was driving, switched lanes to evade the irate driver, but the driver continued to follow them, repeatedly hitting their brakes. Culter then moved back into the slow lane, and JayLee gestured at the other driver, Bradley added.
The unidentified road rage driver then exited onto a nearby street, pulled out a gun, and fired five to seven shots at their car. JayLee was struck in the head by a bullet and has been fighting for her life ever since. The alleged shooter remains on the run, her heartbroken father said.
Family's Ordeal
Bradley Gross told The Star, 'We’re not doing ok, and we can’t act like we are. Because, you know, no parent should ever have to experience this.' He added that JayLee is suffering from brain swelling and is using a breathing tube. Her mother, Manda Gross, wrote on Facebook, 'Keep fighting... we love you.' She also shared a graphic showing JayLee surrounded by inspiring words and symbols related to her nursing career.
JayLee is studying nursing at St. Mary's University while working full-time as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) at a nursing home. She is also on her school's bowling team and completed several college-level courses by age 17. 'My daughter is truly somebody that spent the last four years of her life giving,' Bradley said. Culter posted on social media, 'You're the strongest most beautiful woman I know in this whole universe... I love you so damn much you got this baby.'
Police Investigation
Police have launched an aggravated assault investigation. Officers responded around 12:30 a.m. on Monday to Truman Medical Center, University Health, after being informed that a shooting victim was being rushed there by a private car, Captain Jake Becchina with the Kansas City Missouri Police Department told The Star. No one is in custody yet, but detectives are 'making headway.' Bradley said authorities have told him they have 'some strong leads, but nothing is definite.'
A Father's Message
After nearly a week at JayLee's side, Bradley left on Saturday to take his other daughter to softball practice. He shared a message: 'I think we all just need to slow down and realize how short life is. We’re always in a hurry. And where you’re going is never going anywhere.'
