Life
Teen was attacked by classmates and shot in the head, survives and gets sweetest revenge
A 17-year-old girl who was attacked by her classmates just before graduation, turned tragedy to triumph as she was crowned Homecoming Queen.
Ashley Willis
11.01.19

Deserae Turner, of Utah, was looking forward to her future.

At 14-years-old, the Green Canyon High School student had her entire life ahead of her.

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She enjoyed her school because the community was so tight-knit.

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The school resides in a small town called North Logan. The town was small and luckily for her and her peers, that camaraderie spilled over into the school.

When Turner wasnโ€™t attending classes, she often spent time at home with her loving mother and father.

But any place can be a dangerous one. Unfortunately, Turner learned this firsthand just over two years ago when she was returning home from class. It was just another day that would turn tragic.

Two of her classmates, Colter Peterson and Jayzon Decker, followed behind her until she was alone.

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The two had devised a plan and patiently waited for an opportunity to attack Turner.

When the time came, the boys lured Turner into a canal and proceeded to rob her. Suddenly, a gunshot rang out, when Peterson shot her in the back of the head.

Everything went black for Turner.

When she awoke, she was in a hospital bed. She couldnโ€™t recall anything that happened after she was pushed to the ground. Turner was also unable to move.

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When Turner was able to communicate with her family and the doctors, she was informed that she had survived a gunshot to the head. She had been in a ditch for eight hours before she was found. Initially, doctors didnโ€™t think that she would survive.

The effects from the gunshot were so bad that she was unable to speak properly and had uncontrollable muscle spasms. She would have to relearn how to walk.

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The two young men were caught shortly after the incident. What helped lead to their arrest was students revealing that they both spoke about school shootings and violence quite often.

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The young men plead guilty and were sentenced to 15 years to life for the brutal act.

Turner was able to face her attackers in court on the day of sentencing and she did not mince words.

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โ€œYou shouldnโ€™t have messed with me, because I am tougher than a bullet. I hate you. I hate what you did to me. I hate that I trusted you. Your life will be confined to a small room, and my life will also be confined.โ€

Although she was able to get how she felt off of her chest, the physical pain remained. She suffered from constant headaches, convulsing muscles, vision loss, and paralysis on her left side.

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The bullet entered from the back of her head, on her right, Thus, her left side has sustained the most damage.

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Now 17-years-old, her story inspires others.

Turner has received an outpour of support from her community.

She received a bike for when she regains control of her legs and also achieved her dream of becoming Homecoming Queen.

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Furthermore, her father walked her out onto the field to the Homecoming King.

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โ€œI would like to tell my community and school, thank you. I truly felt like a queen. I wish every girl could experience such a magical, amazing event.โ€

Things only got better when she was interviewed by the local news about her night.

It was perfect.

Turner didnโ€™t allow the actions of others to hinder her from achieving her dreams and goals. She proves that with a positive mindset and determination, anything can be achieved.

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Turner has been through 13 surgeries and still has the bullet lodged in her head.

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