North Texas Man Has Close Call During WWII Reenactment
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DALLAS (CSBDFW.COM) - Texas Parks and Wildlife has opened an investigation after a North Texas man was shot with live ammunition during WWII reenactment at Fort Richardson State Park.
Scott Fullerton said doctors told him he came within centimeters of losing his life.
"It felt like a sledgehammer on my chest. It took the wind out of both lungs. I couldn't breathe," said Fullerton.
Fullerton was shot in the abdomen on Saturday during a reenactment where participants were supposed to be only using blanks.
"There's a difference between a live round and a blank round and you knew it was a live round," said Fullerton.
The Aubrey resident felt as a .30 caliber carbine bullet from an M1 rifle went through one side of his stomach region and out the other.
"It was a miracle. If he had used a .30-06 round where it hit, that would have been my heart. I wouldn't be here," said Fullerton.
The path of the bullet missed every vital organ.
"This is a first for me," said Rob McCorkle, a spokesperson at Texas Parks and Wildlife.
McCorkle said each gun at the reenactment should have been inspected before being fired on the field.
"They have been safe up until this incident and so we'll just have to see what happened before we proceed," said McCorkle.
An investigation is now underway. The name of the person who pulled the trigger has not been released.
"I have always wanted to start working out you know and get the shredded abs. Get a six pack. But having a bullet rip through my stomach is not the shredded abs I wanted," joked Fullerton.
He can laugh about it now, but Fullerton hopes safety measures tighten in the future at all reenactments.
Fullerton said he has no hard feelings for the man who shot him.
"I would say I forgive you. It's okay. I know it's a mistake. I know you didn't realize what was happening," said Fullerton.
Fullerton said once he heals, he will return to doing reenactments.
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