Wilkerson family fundraiser after Miami Shooting

On January 5, 2023, ten people were shot during a music video shoot for French Montana in Miami Gardens, Florida. One of the injured was Carlos Wilkerson, Jr., also known as CJ, who was working as a cameraman. He had traveled there due to his work with guest rapper, Rob49.

CJ was shot twice, in the lower and mid back, sustaining injuries to his lungs, liver, and spine. He was flown to the trauma center, where he received two emergency surgeries to address the damage to his lungs and liver. While a bullet or bullet fragment was seen against his spine, the medical team was unable to discern exactly how much damage was sustained. Before CJ was sedated, it was determined he had no feeling from the waist down, but whether or not that damage is permanent was unknown at the time.

As of 1/11/23, CJ is in the ICU on a breathing tube.

As of 11/20/23, CJ is still in the ICU on a breathing tube. He is heavily sedated, but is able to respond to people by squeezing their hand from time to time. Due to the development of blood clots in his lung, as well as pneumonia after being placed on the ventilator, the medical team has been unable to further evaluate if there has been permanent damage to his spinal cord.

Needless to say, CJ is looking at a long hospitalization and extensive physical rehabilitation. Right now there is no estimate on when he may return home to Louisiana.

CJ's family and girlfriend have rushed to be with him, and are staying nearby to support and care for him. CJ is fortunate enough to have health insurance, but the family is rapidly racking up costs due to the distance from home - out-of-pocket expenses will only increase as they pay for flights, hotel stays, meals on the road, transportation, time away from work (and income loss) and more. CJ will need every bit of love and support that they can offer him during this time.

And of course, there will be additional expenses that CJ's health insurance won't pay for, such as the medical transport he will likely need when he is finally able to come home. That alone could cost as much as $30,000. Until more is known about what kind of rehabilitation CJ will need, it's impossible to know if or how much care he'll need when he returns home to his father's house, much less how much it will cost.

CJ is a kind, loving, and talented young man - anyone who knows him would agree, and anyone who knows his parents isn't surprised he grew up to be such a wonderful person. I've known his father, Carlos Sr, for almost twenty years, as a close friend and colleague, and he is one of the kindest, most big-hearted and hard-working people I've ever known. One of my favorite memories of him is when he worked 24/7 for weeks, making and giving away hot meals for the people of DeRidder, LA after Hurricane Laura.

This GoFundMe is meant to make it possible for the Wilkerson family to give their all as they support and care for CJ during one of the most horrible times in his, and their, lives.