Joshlyn Varcoe, a medical student, was shot after she was caught in the crossfire between rival gangs
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Joshlyn Varcoe, 23, a Wentworth medical student, says she continues to live with trauma after being shot while walking to her cousin’s home in 2021.
She has called for stronger action against firearms and gang violence in the community.
Varcoe described the impact gang violence has had on her life during an exclusive interview with POST.
She was 18 years old when she was caught in the crossfire between rival gangs in Wentworth on Monday, November 1, 2021.
It is the first time Varcoe spoke about the shooting, and how it changed her life.
She said she remembered thinking that the two vehicles, which were facing each other at a stop street in the busy neighbourhood, had backfired, resulting in loud bangs at around 10am that morning.
“It was an ordinary day in our community, and everyone was out as it was a voting day (local government elections).
“I was walking to my cousin’s house and my life changed in the blink of an eye. I saw the cars and thought they were backfiring. As I realised that it was actually gunshots, I felt a bullet hit my chest.
“I fell to the ground. The road cleared and people dispersed as shots rang out. I remember screaming as loud as I could for help.
“I managed to get my phone and called my dad. As I spoke to him, I dropped the phone. A lady who came to my aid took the phone and told my dad where we were.
“Within minutes, people from the community, and my family and friends were at the scene.”
She said she was bleeding internally, and while she was in the vehicle being transported to hospital, she saw a bright light.
“I could hear the faint voices of people. I then woke up in hospital the next day. I am thankful that I survived the shooting, but regret that I live in fear daily as the shootings continue.
“The ongoing gang violence has had a terrible impact on my life. I will never know who shot me and I do not want to know. People have asked why I did not run or duck the bullets. The list of what people think I could have or should have done at that moment is endless.
“I struggle to sleep, and have flashbacks of being shot.
“I have post-traumatic stress disorder. Whenever cars make a loud noise, there are shootings in the area, or any sudden noises, I become anxious.
“It takes me back to that moment, and I feel the sudden grip of pain in my chest, and I remember falling to the ground.
“I have dreams of being shot. My life will never be the same,” she added.
Varcoe said she was grateful to be alive, and called on authorities to prioritise addressing the gang violence which gripped the community.
“Wentworth is a beautiful place and it is our home. We cannot be driven out by gangsters and fear. A few weeks before I was shot, my friend was shot and killed. Some of my friends who were also shot in the past and survived.
“It is sad that for youth in Wentworth that it is the norm to have someone in your family or in a circle of friends were shot. Where we come from, shootings and violence have become an ordinary Monday afternoon.
“We need a clampdown of firearms to stop the violence,” Varcoe added.
