PORT ARTHUR, Texas — A Port Arthur teen is on the road to recovery after being shot two days before the new year.
Karmen Nixon, 16, was shot by two suspects on Dec. 29, 2023 around 1:41 a.m. in the area of the Sabine Townhomes in Port Arthur.
It was revealed in surveillance video that the two suspects armed with handguns ambushed a vehicle with several juveniles inside, according to a Port Arthur Police Department Facebook post.
MORE | GoFundMe for Karmen Nixon
The suspects left the scene on foot going northeast and have yet to be caught.
Following that night, Nixon spent 10 days in intensive care unit and finally returned home on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
"It felt like a nightmare. My baby has gotten shot," Nixon's mother, Angela Swallow, said. "Immediately I broke down. I couldn't think clearly. I just hit the floor. I started screaming."
Nixon was shot eight times.
"In that moment, I just I was very scared like I didn't know what was gonna happen. I didn't know that was gonna be my last night or what. I was really really really scared," she said.
At first, Nixon didn't realize what had happened.
"I see my arm like more was just like this and I see me and I say I looked at it and I said I got shot. They lay me down on the ground and they would just count all the shots and stuff," she said.
Nixon was taken to CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, then flown to Memorial Hermann in Houston.
"It was hard for her to breathe and so right when they had her there and immediately they had to start working on her. The doctor says she's actually a miracle," Swallow said.
Nixon returned home with a warm welcome from her family and friends.
"It made me feel like, so loved. I loved that they all came together, and everything like that, and I'm very grateful," Swallow said.
Nixon even found inspiration during her near-death experience. She has plans to become a nurse.
"I talked to some of my nurses while I was there about being a nurse and it just inspired me to do it," she said.
From a PAPD Facebook post:
On 12/29/2023 at 1:41am, The Port Arthur Police Department responded to the 3800 block of Russell Dr. in Groves, regarding a shooting victim. It was determined the victim had been shot in 4100 block of 39th in Port Arthur at Sabina Townhomes. Video revealed that two suspects armed with handguns ambushed a vehicle occupied by several juveniles. The suspects fired at the vehicle several times seriously injuring one juvenile occupant. The suspects were seen fleeing the scene on foot in a northeasterly direction. We are asking everyone in that area to check their security camera during the timeframe of 12/29/2023 from 1:15am-1:35am for anything suspicious. If you have information about this crime, contact Crime Stoppers by calling 833-TIPS (8477), online at 833 TIPS.com or download the P3 TIPS App. You WILL remain anonymous and MAY be eligible for a cash reward.
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If you have information about a crime you could earn a cash reward of up to $1000 by providing an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Call 833-TIPS (8477) or download the P3Tips App on your mobile device to submit your tip anonymously.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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