Braces save life of teenager in street shooting

Michigan 18-year-old recovering after mouth metalwork shatters bullet

PONTIAC, Mich. - A teenager remained in a Pontiac hospital Friday after he was shot in the face and his braces saved his life this week, police said.

Police said the youth, Anthony Pittman, 18, of Pontiac, remained in critical condition but was reported to be recovering after a bullet hit him in the mouth Wednesday, NBC affiliate WDIV-TV of Detroit reported.

Police said a .45-caliber bullet struck Pittman’s braces, which fragmented the bullet. He was able to walk into the hospital, where he collapsed, police said.
The incident occurred when several teens got into an argument and several people began shooting late Wednesday. Officers said they found shell casings from at least three different kind of weapons.

Neighbors said they did not see or hear any of the shootings.

“It might have been fireworks, for all I know,” a neighbor told The Oakland Press. “Everything is popping off out here.”

Another person said she was walking down the street and didn’t realize that anyone had gotten hurt until later.

“I didn’t see anything, but I did hear shots,” she said. “I was just down the street right after it happened. I thought it was firecrackers at first.”

No other injuries were reported. Police said they had a suspect in the shooting but had made no arrests.