A recent Clemson University graduate is recovering from gunshot wounds after being caught in the crossfire of a violent shooting, and a fundraising campaign launched on her behalf has already exceeded its goal within hours of going live.
Meryn Rawl, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Communications from Clemson University in May 2026, was shot once in the neck and once in the cheek during the incident.
According to a GoFundMe campaign organized by Colin Roche of Charlotte, North Carolina, Rawl was an innocent bystander caught in crossfire and did not deserve what happened to her.
“This horrifying event has changed her life in an instant, leaving her to face a long and challenging road to recovery,” Roche wrote on the fundraising page.
Roche stated that Rawl is currently recovering through surgery. The funds raised are intended to cover medical bills, surgical costs, and ongoing recovery expenses.
The campaign set an initial goal of $15,000, and as of Sunday, it had already received 273 donations totaling more than $16,600 — surpassing its target within roughly 11 hours of launch. The largest single donation was $1,500 from an anonymous contributor.
Details about the shooting, including the exact date, location, and circumstances, have not been publicly released. Clemson University has not issued a statement, and law enforcement authorities have yet to release information about the incident.
Rawl, who grew up connected to her family’s agricultural business, Walter P. Rawl and Sons, Inc., based in Pelion, South Carolina, was an active and accomplished student during her four years at Clemson.
She made the President’s List in the fall semester and received her Clemson Ring after completing 90 credit hours. She spent part of her college years completing a study abroad photography program in Sorrento, Italy through Sant’Anna Institute.
Professionally, Rawl had built a strong foundation before graduation. She completed a merchandising internship at Marleylilly, a South Carolina-based personalized gifts and apparel brand, where she handled product descriptions, SEO content, Greek and collegiate licensing, and marketing graphics.
She also served as a marketing intern at Walter P. Rawl and Sons from May 2024 through August 2025, contributing to social media content, photography, and graphic design for the farm brand.
Her former supervisor at Marleylilly, e-commerce and marketing leader Holly J., wrote in a LinkedIn recommendation that Rawl “always delivered projects on time, asked thoughtful questions, and tackled every task with a positive attitude and strong sense of ownership,” adding that any organization would be fortunate to have her.
The road ahead for Rawl is expected to be long. Roche noted in the fundraiser description that the shooting has fundamentally altered the trajectory of her life just as she was beginning her professional career.
Those wishing to support Rawl’s recovery can donate through the GoFundMe campaign titled “Support For Meryn Rawl’s Recovery” at gofundme.com.
Roche also encouraged people to share the fundraiser, noting that each share has the potential to generate additional support and help reach more people who may wish to contribute.
