Cell Phone Deflects a Bullet

Cell phones serve many wonderful purposes. Teenagers can use one to let their parents know that they are running a little late and not to worry. Wives can send a quick text message to ask their husbands to pick up some milk on the way home from running other errands. More closely related to my line of work, citizens can use their phones to report suspicious activity to the police. But, while still on the topic of crime, how many people would think to use a cell phone as a substitute for a bulletproof vest? Apparently, it works!

Two men were ejected from a nightclub in Atlanta early Thursday morning and decided to respond with gunfire. A parking attendant for the club was struck in the chest. However, the cell phone he was carrying in his jacket pocket caused the bullet to ricochet off his body and he escaped with only minor injuries. Without a doubt, a gunshot taken to the chest would have been exponentially worse.

The suspects were arrested a short time later. These men should be thankful for the cell phone as well, since it may have prevented them from being charged with a much more serious crime.
Emily Stone, the primary character in my first two novels , uses technology in many cases to track the predators in the neighborhoods around her. But, I bet she never imagined using a device like a cell phone for defensive purposes when faced with a gunman. Or, maybe she has; she is pretty savvy.

I am glad to know that the attendant was not seriously hurt and I hope that his cell phone service provider allows him to upgrade to a new phone immediately and not wait until the end of his contract.