DURHAM (WTVD) -- Eleanor Bordeaux has seen countless stories about gun violence. She never thought she'd be a victim. Nearly six months after a .45 caliber bullet shattered her thigh bone, she says she's a victim all over again.
"It's just sad to say that nothing has happened since the shooting in May," said Bordeaux. "This has been devastating for me being a parent."
Bordeaux was in the passenger seat of an SUV last May. Her fiance was behind the wheel while her brother sat in the backseat. They stopped to get cash out of an ATM when suddenly a spray of bullets rang out at the Handy Mart on Fayetteville Road.
"It was so many bullets flying, and it literally sounded like fireworks," recalled Bordeaux. "When I looked up, it was too late. I was already shot. I didn't get to see any of the shooters."
Read more: Woman shot inside SUV in Durham
Durham Police say Bordeaux and her relatives were innocent bystanders caught in the middle of a gun battle. Police have yet to make an arrest.
Two surgeries, a metal rod, and six pins later, Bordeaux is unable to work because she can't yet stand on her own. She says her injury continues to impress her doctors at Duke Hospital who are using her surgical case to teach medical students.
Before the shooting, she worked as a cook and a baker. The loss of income has been a challenge for the mom of three children now dealing with medical bills. She turned to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety's Office of Victim Services for help. The agency reimburses innocent victims for loss of wages and medical expenses.
"I kind of feel like no one cares," said Bordeaux. "I've even followed up with phone calls, trying to just continue the process and what's going on with the status of my case and I haven't got anything--not a letter in the mail, phone call--nothing."
Bordeaux says victim services advocates told her the bullet hole in her SUV would be repaired at no expense. Six months later, the hole that pierced the armrest of the car is still a reminder of the day she was wounded. A frustrated Bordeaux contacted ABC11 for answers.
"I want the public to know that gun violence is real and it really affects a lot of individuals," said Bordeaux. "It affects my whole family. It affects my children."
ABC11 contacted the Office of Victim Services. A spokesperson says state law prohibits them from discussing Bordeaux's case.
In a statement, NC DPS Communications Director Pamela Walker explained the lengthy claims process can take as long as six months. The countdown for reimbursement for an innocent bystander like Bordeaux won't start until Victim Services receives all documentation ranging from medical, employment to insurance paperwork.
"Once paperwork is received, an investigation is started, which is very involved," explained Walker in an email to ABC11. "Once that is complete, a Victim Services claims examiner verifies with medical providers what has been paid by federal, state, or private insurance."
In a statement, Walker added that the office tries to be sensitive to victims but also judicious with taxpayer dollars.
The DPS Victim Services section is extremely sensitive to all victims claims and endeavors to process all claims as promptly as possible. They also are very responsive to victims and have staff in the office that constantly help walk them through the process. By policy, every call to or from the victim is documented and all calls are traditionally responded to within 24 hours during business hours.
After our interview, Bordeaux contacted ABC11 to say that a Durham investigator contacted her about the status of her case. She says an advocate for victim services is supposed to speak with her about her claim.
Bordeaux is hopeful financial help will also come with an arrest soon.