Wallet in stomach pocket stops stray bullet in Washington

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Authorities in Washington said a man in the path of a stray bullet was saved by the wallet and smartphone in his sweatshirt pocket.

Police said Brian Harris, 45, was outside his apartment building for a cigarette Sunday night in the Edgewood neighborhood when one of several bullets fired in a nearby alley pierced the stomach pocket of his hooded sweatshirt, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

The .380-caliber round entered his wallet and went through his driver's license, a bank card and a $10 bill before shattering the glass screen of his smartphone.

Harris was shaken but uninjured.

"I am generally not a religious man, but this guy is blessed," said police Cmdr. Andrew Solberg, a 26-year veteran. "I want to go over and touch this man's hand or clip off a lock of his hair. I want to rub him and feel some magic. We're all glad that he's here. I think somebody was watching out for him."

Investigators said they do not believe Harris was the target of the gunfire and the gunman has not been identified. Bullets also struck an apartment building, the windshield of a gray Chevrolet Impala and the side of a black BMW.