Police: iPhone Saved UK Man from Shotgun Blast
OutdoorHub Reporters 05.27.15
A 25-year-old man in Cheshire County, England is alive after being shot with a sawed-off shotgun thanks in part to his iPhone.
According to information released by the Chesire Constabulary, Daniel Kennedy confronted a group of young men last October when one of them, 19-year-old Ryan Duggan, pulled out a modified hunting shotgun and shot the man in the chest and abdomen. The iPhone, which was in Kennedy’s pocket, absorbed most of the pellets, allowing the man to flee and contact police.
Following a recent three-day trial, Duggan was found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and pleaded to additional charges.
“Duggan clearly believed that he was above the law—there was no doubt that his actions that night were to kill the victim—and the jury has agreed with this,” said Detective Inspector Gary McIntyre in a press release.
The incident occurred near the victim’s home in Widness on October 15. According to police, Duggan was part of a group of young people who were seen routinely seen congregating outside a block of flats. The group occasionally vandalized property, and on the day of the shooting, had shut off water to the block. When Kennedy returned home at night and discovered that there was no water, he decided to go out and speak to the group. That eventually resulted in an altercation where Kennedy began chasing Duggan around the building. Officials said that Duggan ran around a corner and drew his gun, shot the victim once and left. Although Kennedy was seriously injured, he was able to walk back to the flats and call for help.
“Fortunately, the victim’s mobile phone took the brunt of the shot and, as a result of this, he survived. This is remarkable—had that phone not been in his pocket at that time he would undoubtedly have died,” McIntyre said.
A police search of the area found that Duggan had tossed his gun before he fled. Two other phones were also discovered at the scene and subsequently linked to the teenager, who was arrested on November 25. Duggan is set to be sentenced in July.
“I hope that the successful conclusion of this case today helps to reassure the local community,” said Inspector Mike Evans of Widness Police. “We will not tolerate the behaviour of anyone who believes they can inject fear, violence and intimidation into the heart of the community.”
