After DaQuawn Bruce wrapped up his summer internship in Sen. Tim Scott’s office earlier this month, he returned home to Chicago for a quick break before heading to graduate school.

But less than two weeks later, the 23-year-old finds himself in physical therapy, recovering from a gunshot wound. Bruce was in his front yard on Friday in Chicago’s Riverdale neighborhood when he was hit by a stray bullet from a drive-by shooting. The bullet entered through his lower abdomen, traveled across his abdominal wall and fractured his pelvis. No vital organs were hit or damaged.

Scott, who was able to visit Bruce after the shooting, hailed his former intern’s “optimism  and strength.” The South Carolina Republican told Roll Call in a statement that he didn’t find it surprising that Bruce was “full of joy despite the pain.”

“Sitting there, it was evident that his family’s faith has sustained him and their quick forgiveness of the shooter has brought them a peace that transcends all understanding,” Scott said. “DaQuawn has an exceptionally bright future and I cannot wait to see him recover and excel in everything he puts his mind to.”

Bruce interned in Scott’s office through the College to Congress program, which places and funds students in Capitol Hill internships.

College to Congress founder and CEO Audrey Henson has set up a GoFundMe page to support him during his recovery.

“At College to Congress, our commitment to our students extends beyond their internship,” Henson said in a statement. “Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting DaQuawn this summer knows that he is exceptionally talented and his positive energy is contagious.”

The GoFundMe page seeks to raise money for a new apartment located on the first floor, as well to cover the costs of his medical bills and physical therapy.

Bruce was expected to begin an accelerated graduate program in education at Carthage College with a specialization in business design and innovation.

He graduated from Carthage College in May 2017 with a bachelor’s in political science and French. He plans to return to D.C. to work in Congress after earning his master’s.

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