A young man from Ocala, Florida, is crediting his survival to both faith and a piece of jewelry he believes may have saved his life after a harrowing accident.
Twenty-year-old Aidan Perry was spending time at a friend’s home in June when a firearm discharged, striking him in the chest. The weapon, a .40-caliber pistol, fired a single round that could easily have been fatal. Instead, Perry lived to tell the story of what doctors have described as a remarkable stroke of luck.
The bullet entered the left side of his chest and exited near his armpit. From there, it reentered his body through his arm, shattering his humerus.
With blood pouring from his wounds, Perry said he believed his life was slipping away. “I thought I was going to die,” he recalled in an interview with FOX 35, describing the moment he looked down and saw “tons of blood.”
Perry was rushed to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital where trauma surgeons performed emergency surgery. One of those doctors, Khafra Garcia Henry, said the outcome could have been devastating if not for a small but crucial detail. Perry had been wearing a gold chain with a cross pendant, a Christmas gift from his father.
The surgeon explained that the chain appears to have deflected or slowed the bullet just enough to keep it from striking vital organs in the chest cavity. “He is a very fortunate young individual,” Henry said. “If his chain was not there, the outcome would have been completely different.”
While gunshot wounds to the chest typically result in catastrophic injuries, Perry’s case was different.
The bullet path and the necklace’s interference allowed him to escape with injuries that, although serious, were not fatal. His broken arm required treatment, but doctors say he will recover fully, per WKRC.
For Perry, the experience has only deepened his religious conviction. “It’s just kind of a reminder now, to never stop believing,” he said, holding the necklace that he believes changed the course of his life.
“Keep believing, and God’s definitely real.” Perry said that while he had always considered himself a person of faith, the ordeal has reinforced those beliefs and given him a renewed sense of purpose.
Law enforcement has also been involved in the case. The man accused of firing the weapon, who police say discharged the gun unintentionally, was later arrested in Sumter County.
He has been charged with culpable negligence causing injury. Authorities have not released his name publicly, but records confirm that he was taken into custody shortly after the shooting.
As Perry continues his recovery, his story has resonated with many who see it as a combination of faith, fate, and sheer chance. A simple piece of jewelry, worn close to his heart, may have played a role in saving his life.
For Perry and his family, it is not only a symbol of survival but also of renewed belief that even in the most terrifying moments, hope and faith can prevail.
