Florida Man Survives Gunshot Wound Thanks to Necklace

A 20-year-old from Ocala, Florida, Aidan Perry, recently had a life-altering experience after being accidentally shot in the chest. This incident occurred in June while he was at a friend’s house. It’s quite remarkable—he believes his faith played a key role in his survival.

Perry was quickly taken to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital for urgent surgery. Thankfully, he survived the serious gunshot wound.

Interestingly, he was wearing a gold necklace featuring a cross pendant at the time, and medical personnel think it may have deflected the bullet. The bullet entered through his chest and exited near his armpit, but then re-entered his body through his arm, causing a broken humerus.

In a candid moment, Perry recalled how he thought he might not make it after seeing “a lot of blood.” He now describes this event as a “little reminder” not to stop believing, saying, “Believe me, God is definitely real.”

His faith, which he previously considered strong, has only deepened since the shooting. Dr. Cafra Garcia Henry, the trauma surgeon who operated on him, noted how different the outcome could have been had the necklace not been there. “When we usually see these injuries, they are catastrophic,” she said. “In Aidan’s case, he was fortunate; the bullet didn’t penetrate deep due to the chain.”

This necklace, a Christmas gift from his father, took on a new significance for Perry. It’s hard to imagine the kind of trauma he went through, but, well, it sounds like he’s taking it all in stride.

Meanwhile, the individual who accidentally shot him has reportedly been arrested in Sumter County and is facing charges for negligence causing injury. It’s a sobering reminder of how quickly things can change and, perhaps, how vital it is to hold on to our beliefs and the things that matter most.