In medicine, empathy is understood as the emotive and cognitive expression of concern for, and comprehension of, the person and their illness—conditions necessary for good patient care. Yet much will vitiate empathy for the other, only some of it amendable. This case study explores the quality of otherness that challenges caregivers who help trauma victims. It draws on Raza’s experience of caring for a young victim of gun violence in order to examine barriers to empathy and their impact on medical outcomes. The case illustrates how the same risk factors that cause the initial insult present a formidable hurdle to empathy and continue to harm victims throughout their journey within the healthcare system. The aim is to demonstrate that the failure to empathize with trauma victims can lead to further trauma, and suggest ways we can do better.