A surfing trip took a terrifying turn when a California man was shot during a drive-by gang shooting in Santa Cruz. The victim, Merrill Roberts, narrowly escaped death, with the bullet only a centimeter away from striking his aorta.
Roberts, 55, from Oceanside, was visiting the coastal town with his grown son and two friends. After a day of surfing, the group was dining at a local restaurant on the evening of Friday, November 15, when gunfire erupted. The attack, believed to be part of a drive-by shooting, left Roberts seriously wounded. According to a GoFundMe page set up to assist with his medical expenses, Roberts was an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.
“On that night, Merrill, his son, and a friend were eating when they were struck by a drive-by shooting,” the fundraising page reads. “Merrill was an innocent victim. What should have been a memorable surfing weekend turned into a nightmare. A bullet went through his left arm, shattering his humerus, then pierced his lung before coming to rest just one centimeter from his aorta. We consider this a miracle—had the bullet not shattered his arm, it likely would have pierced his aorta, which could have been fatal. We’re also grateful that his son was unharmed.”
Roberts underwent surgery to reconstruct his arm with metal plates and screws, though doctors chose not to remove the bullet from his abdomen due to the high risks involved.
Despite the close call, Roberts expressed gratitude for his survival in an interview with ABC 10.
“I feel very blessed to be here talking to you right now. I literally dodged more than one bullet. Even though I was shot, it’s a miracle I’m still alive. I’m getting a second chance, and I’m going to make the most of it. This is going to be a Thanksgiving filled with gratitude.”
The attack has left Roberts and his family shaken, but they are thankful for the second chance at life. As of now, they continue to focus on his recovery and reflect on the near-tragic event that almost claimed his life.
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