Necklace Stops Bullet, Saving Man's Life in Colorado

A Colorado man is alive today thanks to a necklace he was wearing that stopped a bullet fired during an argument. Police say the necklace is "likely the only reason" the man is alive.

A Colorado man is lucky to be alive after a necklace he was wearing stopped a bullet that was fired during an argument, according to police.

The Commerce City Police Department shared pictures on social media that showed a bullet mangled inside the links of a chain-link necklace.

"We’d say he really dodged a bullet – but in reality, he LODGED a bullet," police said.

Police said the nearly 10-millimeter-wide silver-looking chain necklace is "likely the only reason" the victim of the May 28 shooting was still alive.

The .22 caliber bullet was reportedly shot during an argument, and had it not been stopped by the necklace, would have ended in the victim’s neck. Instead, the victim suffered from a puncture wound.

The suspect who allegedly fired the gun was identified by police as Richard Hillman.

Police arrested Hillman at the scene, and he has since been charged with attempted homicide.

"We don’t know what kind of metal this is, but it’s likely not pure silver," police said. "We looked it up… and silver is soft. So, maybe think twice before you knock off."

The Commerce City Police Department is using the incident to remind people of the importance of wearing jewelry safely.

"This is a good reminder to be careful when wearing jewelry," police said. "If you are going to wear jewelry, make sure it is not too loose and that it is not likely to get caught on anything."

Police also said that the necklace may have saved the victim's life because it was made of a strong metal.

"We don’t know what kind of metal this is, but it’s likely not pure silver," police said. "We looked it up… and silver is soft. So, maybe think twice before you knock off."

The victim of the shooting is expected to make a full recovery.