Fla. Man Survives Gunshot After Stray Bullet ‘Ricocheted’ Off His Cross Pendant Necklace, Medics Say

Aidan Perry survived a harrowing near-death experience.

The 20-year-old from Ocala, Fla., was accidentally shot in the chest by a .40-caliber pistol while at a friend’s house in June, reported FOX 25.

During the incident, Perry was wearing a gold necklace with a cross pendant. He was rushed to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and immediately taken into surgery.

Medics believe the necklace may have deflected the bullet, sparing his major organs from severe damage, according to the news outlet. Remarkably, Perry survived the gunshot wound.

Still, the bullet reportedly passed through Perry’s chest, exited near his armpit, and reentered through his arm, breaking his humerus.

Perry told FOX 25 that he initially feared the worst when he looked down and saw “tons of blood.”

“It’s just kind of a reminder now — to never stop believing,” he said. “Keep believing and God’s definitely real.”

He also shared that the experience has strengthened his faith. A photo obtained by FOX 25 showed the cross on his chain necklace—gifted by his father last Christmas—split in two pieces.

Khafra Garcia Henry, the trauma surgeon who operated on Perry, told the outlet that he is “a very fortunate young individual because if his chain was not there, the outcome would have been completely different.”

“When we normally see these injuries, they’re usually devastating injuries,” she explained. In Perry’s case, she noted he was “fortunate” the bullet “did not enter his chest wall,” as it ricocheted off the chain.

According to the outlet, the man who allegedly shot Perry by accident was arrested in Sumter County and charged with culpable negligence causing injury, per Village-News.