A Florida man is crediting both divine intervention and a small piece of jewelry for his survival after being struck in the chest by a gunshot earlier this year.

According to Fox News, Aidan Perry, a 20-year-old from Ocala, survived a gunshot wound in June after a bullet hit the gold cross necklace he was wearing, potentially altering its path and preventing more serious injury.

The incident occurred while Perry was spending time at a friend’s home, where an accidental discharge of a .40-caliber pistol wounded him in the chest. The bullet entered Perry's chest, exited near his armpit, and then reentered his body through his arm, breaking his humerus.

Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene and transported Perry to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. He was brought into the operating room for immediate treatment. Miraculously, despite the bullet’s damaging path, Perry survived the ordeal.

The 20-year-old was wearing a gold necklace at the time—a holiday gift from his father. The necklace featured a cross pendant, which medical professionals believe may have deflected the bullet enough to avert lethal consequences.

Doctors Credit Jewelry With Changing Bullet’s Course

Dr. Khafra Garcia Henry, the trauma surgeon who treated Perry, emphasized the gravity of the situation and the unusual role the necklace may have played. “He’s a very fortunate young individual because if his chain was not there, the outcome would have been completely different,” he said.

According to Dr. Henry, gunshot injuries like Perry’s are typically devastating. Bullets that strike the chest can easily damage the heart, lungs, or other critical organs. In this case, however, the cross pendant may have changed the bullet’s direction just enough to avoid these vital areas.

“In Aidan’s case, he was fortunate enough that the bullet did not enter his chest wall—it ricocheted off the chain he was wearing,” Dr. Henry explained. This alternate trajectory may have kept the injury from becoming fatal.

Survivor Recounts Moment He Thought Death Was Certain

Perry described the terrifying moments after he was shot. After looking down and seeing a significant amount of blood, he believed he was about to die. The pain was sharp, and the realization of what had happened left him shaken.

Despite the trauma, Perry remained conscious through the ordeal and was aware of the responders assisting him. He later reflected on how fortunate he felt to have survived the ordeal, emphasizing that his faith had grown stronger as a result.

“It’s just kind of a reminder now—to never stop believing,” Perry said. He added that he had considered himself religious before the shooting, but the experience deepened that belief substantially.

Shooter Faces Legal Consequences After Gun Discharge

The man who fired the weapon was arrested shortly after the incident. Law enforcement authorities in Sumter County charged him with culpable negligence causing injury. This charge reflects the seriousness of mishandling a firearm in a way that causes harm.

Although details surrounding how the weapon was fired have not been released, officials confirmed the shooting was accidental. Still, Florida law holds individuals responsible when reckless conduct with a weapon leads to injuries.

Perry has since been recovering from the gunshot wounds and has made it clear that he sees his survival as both a medical and spiritual event. “God’s real,” he said when asked about his recovery.

Faith and Family Ties Deepen After Ordeal

The cross necklace, which Perry received as a Christmas gift from his father, now holds deeper personal significance. What was once a symbol of his beliefs has become a lasting emblem of survival and gratitude.

As Perry continues to heal physically and emotionally, he remains focused on the newfound perspective the event has given him. He says he’s sharing his story in hopes of encouraging others not to lose faith during life’s most difficult moments.

“Keep believing,” he said. “And God’s real.”