A Brit tourist who was shot in the back while on holiday in California says he owes his life to the heroic police officers who performed CPR as he lay bleeding in the street.
Shaun Bryne, from Old Swan in Liverpool, was visiting Venice Beach, Los Angeles, when he and a friend became involved in a dispute with two men outside a busy bar on Saturday, July 30.
The argument escalated into a physical fight, at which point one of the men pulled out a gun and started chasing Shaun down the street. The 35-year-old was shot in the back at close range, with the bullet going straight through and exiting his chest. His friend, from Huyton, was also wounded.
Yesterday, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) issued a wanted appeal for suspected gunman Brandon Manyo Dixon, who fled the scene on foot along with the other man involved in the altercation. Shaun says he has no memory of the incident and only regained consciousness after undergoing emergency surgery at Ronald Reagan UCLA hospital.
When doctors explained that the bullet had passed "very close to his heart", he realised just how lucky he was to have survived. Speaking to the Liverpool ECHO, Shaun said: "I found out I got shot in the back and the bullet went straight through, exiting my chest. I was treated at the scene by the LAPD and paramedics who resuscitated me.
"I stayed in hospital for a few weeks then flew home. I've been recovering and I'm good now. I can’t complain though, it could have been a lot worse so I'm lucky. The LAPD and UCLA hospital staff definitely saved my life."
Former Royal Navy engineer Shaun, who now works as a chief engineer specialising in yachts, collapsed seconds after the bullet struck him in the back. He said: "I blacked out. They were doing CPR and I wasn’t responding."
Chilling CCTV footage, released by the LAPD, shows the gunman pursuing Shaun and his friend before opening fire. The LAPD said detectives from its Pacific Division are currently hunting for Dixon, who should be considered "armed and dangerous". A statement from the force said: "The suspect, the suspect’s friend and two United Kingdom tourists were involved in a verbal argument outside a heavily populated bar in the 20 block of Windward Avenue.
"The argument escalated into a physical fight and then turned violent when the suspect chased after both tourists with a gun. As the tourists ran away, the suspect shot the tourists and then fled on foot from the scene."
Remarkably, Shaun harbours no animosity towards his attacker. He said: "I feel sorry for him. He's ruined his life. It's a waste."
Shaun says he has since made a full physical recovery after undergoing rehabilitation. It is understood the other victim was shot in the leg and is now back to full health.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Pacific Division Robbery Detective Jurado D: (310) 482-6369, C: (323) 229-6286 or via email at 32284@lapd.online. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
