An NIU freshman who was caught in the cross fire of a gang-related weekend shooting is recovering from a gunshot wound at a Chicago hospital.

Pre-elementary education major Kimberly Johnson, 20, 736 Grant Towers South, is being treated for a gunshot wound to the chest at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, said her father, Homer Johnson.

Although the April 5 shooting was gang-related, police said Kimberly Johnson is not a gang member. “She got caught in the wrong place at the wrong time in an altercation with gang members,” said Chicago Police Sgt. Stan Zaborac, watch commander of the Violent Crimes Division.

Johnson, who is described as slender, friendly and outgoing, was driving her boyfriend’s car to see a movie with friends, said Johnson’s NIU roommate, freshman Detrice Bennett, 19.

Johnson and her friends had stopped to pick up some people when a car pulled up and opened fire on the group, Bennett said.

Johnson was shot in the chest and the bullet traveled up to lodge in her throat, her father said.

Although Johnson is recovering, one of her friends was not so lucky. Anthony Dunlap, 22, Chicago, was killed by a gun shot wound to the back of the head, Zaborac said.

No one has been charged yet in the incident. “The worst part about it is they were so busy trying to duck they didn’t see the color of the car or the license plate number,” Bennett said.

Johnson is off the respirator. If her condition continues to improve, she should be able to come home in a few days, her father said. However, she will not be able to return to NIU this semester, Bennett said.