Help Jacob Pay His Medical Bills

Hello, my name is Brittany Wilken. On April 6th at around 12:00 AM my brother Jacob was shot in the head while leaving a store in Rockford. My brother was unarmed and was trying to deescalate what appeared to be a domestic violence situation. The suspect was blocking the exit and Jacob asked him to move out of the way. The suspect turned to walk out only to turn back around and shoot Jacob.

My brother Jacob has a big heart and loves helping others. He loves making people laugh and is one of the strongest people I know. Unfortunately, we have been plagued by tragedies in the last 8 years. We lost our mother in 2014 to a sudden illness. A little over a year later, our father and Jacob were in a fatal car accident that took our dads life, and nearly killed Jacob. He still suffers daily from those injuries sustained in that accident. He has a long road to recovery, both physically and mentally. The bullet went through his neck and out behind the upper left ear. He has suffered nerve damage in his face and has had to have a lumbar drainage procedure done to reduce pressure and swelling. His jaw and skull were fractured as well. Jacob recently started a new job and has no health insurance, or the ability to cover the medical expenses he is now faced with, along with now being unable to work.

No one deserves to experience violence like this, but especially my brother who has been through so much in such a short time. It’s a miracle he is alive but he could still use our help. I ask please for any little bit to help him with his recovery and these new unexpected expenses.

Thank you.