The Florida Man Who Survived A Bullet Thanks To His Cross Necklace
There are stories you hear once and never forget, the kind that make you pause and think about how fragile life really is and how sometimes, survival feels nothing short of miraculous. The story of 20-year-old Aidan Perry from Ocala, Florida, is one of those. He wasn’t in a war zone, nor was he chasing danger. He was just living an ordinary life until, in a split second, everything changed. A gun went off, a bullet flew toward his chest, and what should have been a tragedy turned into one of those almost unbelievable stories where faith and fate collided. His gold cross necklace took the bullet, and instead of piercing his heart, it ricocheted into his body in a way that spared his life. Doctors would later say that without that necklace, he might not be here to tell the tale.
The shooting wasn’t some cinematic showdown. It was an accident. Someone else fired the weapon, not aiming to kill, not intending for it to happen at all. Yet the result was terrifying. The .40-caliber bullet, powerful and designed to cause devastating damage, hit Aidan directly in the chest. For a moment, everything slowed down. He remembers the shock, the pain, and most of all, the sight of the blood. He later admitted that in that moment, he thought he might die. That thought isn’t abstract when you’re twenty years old and suddenly staring mortality in the face. But as quickly as the bullet struck, the outcome was already being rewritten by something he could never have imagined: the tiny gold cross hanging from his neck.
The bullet hit the cross with enough force to deflect its path. Instead of entering his chest cavity, tearing through lungs, heart, and arteries, it glanced off the pendant and was pushed just far enough away to miss his vital organs. It still injured him — the bullet exited near his armpit, then reentered through his arm, shattering his humerus bone. He ended up with a badly broken arm and a body torn by the bullet’s rerouted path. But what mattered most was that he was alive. Trauma surgeons at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital confirmed exactly what he already suspected: the necklace changed the course of his survival. They didn’t downplay it. They told him plainly that without it, the bullet’s trajectory would have been fatal. One doctor even called it divine intervention.
Aidan was rushed into care, covered in blood and shaking from shock. He knew how close he had come to losing everything. And while he battled through the surgeries and recovery, one thought became clearer than ever. He told reporters afterward, “Keep believing and God’s definitely real.” That wasn’t some empty phrase thrown out for attention. You could hear in his voice that he had wrestled with the raw reality of how quickly life can slip away. Faith, for him, wasn’t just a concept anymore — it was something he believed had stood between him and death.
The case didn’t end with him, though. The person responsible for firing the shot — though it was unintentional — was arrested in Sumter County. Authorities charged them with culpable negligence, making it clear that even accidental discharges of firearms have serious consequences. Guns aren’t toys, and stories like this underline how recklessness with them can change lives forever. For Aidan, it’s not just a scar and a memory; it’s a moment that will define him for the rest of his life.
People often talk about “miracle stories,” but this one strikes differently. Maybe it’s because of how tangible the object was. It wasn’t chance alone, but a simple cross necklace that played such a role. The imagery of a cross — a symbol of faith, sacrifice, and protection for so many — physically deflecting death is powerful in a way words can barely capture. For those who believe, it’s affirmation. For those who don’t, it’s still a rare and extraordinary example of survival against the odds. Metal, physics, timing, and perhaps something greater combined in that split second to ensure a very different ending.
Aidan’s recovery isn’t easy. A shattered humerus is a painful injury, and months of healing, physical therapy, and emotional resilience will be required to regain his strength. But he has the one thing most survivors cling to — gratitude. He knows he has been given another chance. In interviews, he doesn’t sound bitter or angry about the accident. Instead, he sounds reflective, aware that what happened could have ended his story, and determined to see it as a turning point rather than a curse. His faith has grown stronger, his appreciation for life deeper, and his understanding of how fleeting everything can be is now rooted in his own blood and bone.
Stories like Aidan’s ripple out far beyond the person at the center. His family, friends, and community all carry the weight of what could have been, but also the relief of what was spared. The doctors and nurses who treated him will likely remember this case long after others blur together. Even strangers reading the headlines can’t help but pause and think about the fragile line between life and death. There’s something haunting and hopeful about it at the same time. The idea that a piece of jewelry, worn perhaps for style, perhaps for faith, or perhaps both, could become the shield that stood between a young man and death is unforgettable.
It’s also a reminder about perspective. Aidan’s words — “Keep believing and God’s definitely real” — come from someone who has lived through something most of us will never experience. They don’t come from a preacher, a politician, or someone trying to make a point. They come from a young man who thought he was dying, who looked down and saw blood pouring out of him, and then realized he was still alive. Whether you share his faith or not, it’s difficult to ignore the authenticity of that message.
For now, Aidan Perry is alive, recovering, and looking forward to a future he almost didn’t have. His scars will remain, both on his body and in his mind, but they will also serve as constant reminders of what he survived. The man who fired the shot will face the consequences of his actions in court, and hopefully, the incident will stand as another stark warning about how dangerous mishandling firearms can be. But most of all, the story stands as a testament to resilience, faith, and the way life can shift in a single second. A piece of gold and a symbol of belief deflected a bullet that should have taken his life, and for Aidan, that will forever be proof that miracles do happen.
