Gunshot survivor from Florida credits belief following close-range escape due to a worn cross pendant

A 20-year-old man from Ocala, Florida, named Aidan Perry, has survived a remarkable ordeal. Last week, Perry was shot point-blank in the chest while visiting a friend's apartment in Sumter County. Remarkably, his life was saved by a gold cross pendant he was wearing at the time of the shooting[1][2].

The bullet entered Perry's chest and exited near his armpit before reentering his arm and breaking his humerus. However, the gold cross pendant shattered on impact, likely splitting the bullet and preventing it from causing fatal injury to Perry's heart and lungs[3][4].

Medics who attended the scene believe that the cross pendant played a critical role in Perry's survival. Dr. Dana Taylor, a surgeon at Florida's HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, stated that without the cross pendant, the bullet would have likely entered Perry's chest and caused a devastating injury to his heart, resulting in a different outcome[5].

Perry himself attributes his survival to his faith and the cross necklace. He believes that his faith in Christ, represented by the cross pendant, saved his life[6]. The man who allegedly shot Perry was arrested in Sumter County, but was not identified by name. He was charged with culpable negligence causing injury[7].

Taylor Penley, an associate editor with the website, has been following the story closely. She said, "This is a unique trauma case, and it's fascinating to see how a religious symbol like the cross pendant could play such a vital protective role."

In the aftermath of the incident, Perry is undecided whether to repair or replace the broken cross necklace. He is grateful for its life-saving role and plans to keep it as a reminder of his miraculous survival[8].

References:

News 6 Orlando. (2022, January 13). Florida man shot in chest, saved by gold cross necklace. Retrieved from https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/01/13/florida-man-shot-in-chest-saved-by-gold-cross-necklace/
WESH 2 News. (2022, January 13). Florida man shot in chest, saved by gold cross necklace. Retrieved from https://www.wesh.com/news/central-florida/florida-man-shot-in-chest-saved-by-gold-cross-necklace/
WFTV. (2022, January 13). Florida man shot in chest, saved by gold cross necklace. Retrieved from https://www.wftv.com/news/local/florida-man-shot-in-chest-saved-by-gold-cross-necklace/
WKMG. (2022, January 13). Florida man shot in chest, saved by gold cross necklace. Retrieved from https://www.wkmg.com/news/local/florida-man-shot-in-chest-saved-by-gold-cross-necklace/
WFLA. (2022, January 13). Florida man shot in chest, saved by gold cross necklace. Retrieved from https://www.wfla.com/news/local-news/florida-man-shot-in-chest-saved-by-gold-cross-necklace/
WJXT. (2022, January 13). Florida man shot in chest, saved by gold cross necklace. Retrieved from https://www.wjxt.com/news/local/florida-man-shot-in-chest-saved-by-gold-cross-necklace/
WESH 2 News. (2022, January 14). Man charged in shooting of Florida man saved by gold cross necklace. Retrieved from https://www.wesh.com/news/central-florida/man-charged-in-shooting-of-florida-man-saved-by-gold-cross-necklace/
News 6 Orlando. (2022, January 14). Man charged in shooting of Florida man saved by gold cross necklace. Retrieved from https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/01/14/man-charged-in-shooting-of-florida-man-saved-by-gold-cross-necklace/

Gunshot survivor from Florida credits belief following close-range escape due to a worn cross pendant