CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cherica Adams was eight months pregnant and driving home late from a movie on the night of Nov. 16, 1999, as her boyfriend and father of her unborn child, Carolina Panthers receiver Rae Carruth, drove ahead of her separately. On a quiet road in South Charlotte, Carruth slowed. Two men following in another car pulled up along Adams, boxing her in before opening fire. Four bullets pierced her body, and they left her for dead.
Adams, a young Charlotte native starting a career in real estate, managed to call 911 and explain what happened.