Emily Brown
A man who 'thought he was going to die' when he was shot in the chest at point-blank range is thought to have miraculously survived thanks to the gold cross necklace he was wearing at the time.
Aiden Perry, 20, was hanging out a friend's apartment in Sumter County, Florida on June 7 when the unbelievable situation took place, with reports alleging Perry was shot accidentally with a .40-caliber pistol while his friend was showing off the gun.
The bullet entered Perry's chest, exited near his armpit and re-entered inside his arm, where it broke his humerus.
Recalling the incident to Fox 35 Orlando, Perry said: "I looked down I see tons of blood. I thought I was going to die, honestly."
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Perry's friend rushed him to the emergency room at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, and medics immediately took him into the operating room.
There, doctors realized that despite entering his chest, the bullet hadn't done any damage to Perry's major organs.
One of the surgeons who worked on Perry, Khafra Garcia Henry, explained: "The bullet entered his left upper chest around this area and traveled to his left arm.
"When we normally see these injuries, they're usually devastating injuries. In Aidan’s case, he was fortunate enough where the bullet did not enter his chest wall – it ricocheted off the chain he was wearing."
Doctors believe that the cross Perry was wearing was located in the exact spot necessary to intercept the bullet, causing the necklace to split in two and ultimately preventing the bullet from causing as much damage as it otherwise could have.
Henry continued: "He's extremely lucky. A very fortunate young individual because if his chain was not there, the outcome would have been completely different."
Having learned about the accessory that's believed to have saved his life, Perry said his faith has grown even stronger.
"It’s just kind of a reminder now – to never stop believing… keep believing and God’s definitely real," he said.
Speaking to WESH2, Perry held the remains of his necklace and said: "I look at it as a lifesaver. I probably wouldn't be talking to you guys right now [without it]."
Perry's dad, who bought his son the necklace as a Christmas present, also credits the family's faith with helping to prevent Perry from undergoing major damage.
The man accused of shooting Perry was arrested and charged with culpable negligence causing injury.