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Hero Teen Takes Bullets While Shielding Infant Nephew From Gunfire

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A teenager is being called a hero after being shot twice while shielding her infant nephew from gunfire.

On Wednesday night 14-year old De Je (pronounced "deja") Brewer was shot while sitting with her 10-month old nephew in an SUV on the driveway of a relative's home in South L.A. Another car pulled up behind the SUV parked on the 1300 block of 59th Place and opened fire. "I didn't know what to do, and then I felt something hit my arm. I touched it and there was blood," Brewer told ABC 7. "So I tried to cover the baby, and I laid over him."

Brewer wound up getting hit twice, once in her right arm and another went through her back, narrowly missing one of her lungs. Her 10-month old nephew was not hit. The teen was visiting Los Angeles for a family funeral with her siblings from Twentynine Palms. She is still in pain from her wounds, but recovering. Doctors removed a .40-caliber bullet from her right arm.

Sadly the shooting comes amidst a rise of violence in South Los Angeles. Brewer's aunt says it's simply senseless. "It's vicious," Donna Brooks told NBC Los Angeles. "It's evil and it's cruel to just inflict pain on someone."

"I think people should love more and do less violence," said Brewer.

Police are investigating the shooting and the car the shooter was in is described as a dark green Pontiac Grand Prix with silver rims. Anyone with information is being asked to call the LAPD's 77th division.

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