"I was just an innocent victim:" Man back in town for his high school reunion is shot during attempted carjacking

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A man comes back to Milwaukee for his high school reunion, and he's shot in the face! He tells FOX6 News he thinks it may have been fate.

They weren't the memories Claude Motley planned on making when he returned to Milwaukee for his 25-year class reunion with Milwaukee Tech.

He flew in early to make the meet and greet on Friday night, June 20th.

Motley was dropping off a friend after that, near 63rd and Capitol, when it happened.

He says as he was waiting for his friend to get inside, he started looking through his text messages and his emails on his phone -- and that's when he says he noticed a car pull up in front of him -- and another behind him.

"As soon as I put the car in drive, the guy jumped out of the passenger side and tapped the window with the gun. At that point I knew I needed to get out of this situation," Motley said.

Motley hit the gas -- slamming into the car in front of him.

That's when he says the guy with the gun pulled the trigger.

"Once he shot through the car, I knew it was all bets off. I had to get away as soon as possible," Motley said.

Motley was able to drive away -- and he headed straight for the hospital.

"When I tried to close my mouth, I just saw the blood gushing out. Just covering my shirt. At that point in time I didn`t know if I was going to make, because there was so much blood I thought I was going to pass out," Motley said.

Now, a few days later, Motley's still in pain. He is awaiting surgery, and a long recovery.

He says he's trying to stay focused on the reason he did make it.

"I feel that maybe I took the bullet so other people can have the courage to stand up and do something about what`s happening," Motley said.

Motley says this experience has made him realize that has to happen here -- and soon.

"I did nothing to provoke it. I am not a person that's out here on the streets doing whatever. I was just a victim, an innocent victim," Motley said.

Motley had surgery scheduled for Wednesday, June 25th -- to have a plate put on his jaw.

He plans to return to Charlotte, North Carolina as soon as possible, to begin what will be months of recovery.

Police have no one in custody in connection with this incident.