Ross Capicchioni is a Detroit teenager who rose to fame after being the victim of a violent crime scene and surviving 3 gunshots. The incident took place after Ross was driven to a dark neighborhood on Detroit’s infamous east side. He was taken there and shot dead by someone he once believed to be a friend.

His survival story was extreme and showed the determination and will of the human spirit to want to continue. It was a miracle that he managed to survive after being shot three times and the story went viral. It was also performed in a two-minute documentary Aberrican Me: Ross Capicchioni, produced by Eric Koston and Steve Berra. Now let’s learn more about the life of this gunshot survivor.

ROSS CAPICCHIONI: YOUTH, FILMING INCIDENT

Very little is known about Ross and his early life, but he was born on March 21, 1990. Capicchioni is from Macomb, Michigan, a suburb outside of Detroit. Growing up, he was just a normal kid and lived a simple lifestyle with his family and friends.

For education, Ross went to an average high school in Detroit and he was a beloved individual among family, friends and teachers. It was 2007 when Ross was at home when a friend of his invited him to visit a cousin on the east side of town. Ross tried to refuse but after relentless pleas he agreed to give his friend a ride.

His friend was guiding him throughout and Capicchioni was driving on the east side of Detroit. After approaching the destination, his friend asked him to park the vehicle at the back of a house. Ross didn’t question or have any idea what was about to happen to him. They both got out of the car and all of a sudden a first shot landed on his left arm.

Capicchioni was left in shock and looked at a friend who was standing a few feet away from him, with a shotgun aimed at him. Ross was confused and bleeding very heavily and asked his ‘friend’ if he had taken the picture. Before he even had a chance to complete his sentence, he had a second shot fired at him; straight to his chest, creating a gaping hole. Ross fell and heard a third shot that hit him in the head.

ROSS CAPICCHIONI: THE STORY OF SURVIVAL

After firing three shots, the would-be killer gave Ross a final smack across the face with the butt of the shotgun and he took Ross’ car and drove off. Then the barely conscious body could see its supposed friend leaving, leaving him to die. He lay in the streets in the pool of blood that has the will to live. So Ross made a choice and tried to stand up. It was not easy for the child to get up after being shot three times at close range. He was struggling but delivered his last stunning kick before falling again. However, this time a probation officer saw Ross and immediately called for help. He stayed with Capicchioni and tried to encourage him to keep his eyes open.

Eventually ambulances came and took him to hospital but doctors suspected it was probably too late. Ross was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital, but doctors continued to do their best. They took him to the emergency theater for open-heart surgery. After three days of hard work, the hospital staff and doctors have achieved the impossible. Ross gained consciousness and his breathing tube was removed. For three whole days, his family did not know where he was or even what he was going through. After some questioning, his family was contacted and they were finally able to see Ross.

ROSS CAPICCHIONI: THE CONSEQUENCES

After only 5 days in the hospital, Ross was finally on his way home. The next day, he was taken in by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). They came to ask Ross to help identify the potential killer with the shotgun. Ross was shown photos from which he was able to identify his attacker. The police took the child into custody and brought him to court. He was eventually and rightly sentenced to prison.

After years of the actual incident, the question remains: why Ross? Capicchioni says he was just a helpful friend in giving him a lift. However, he thinks his friend was trying to join a gang and to prove he was ready he had to kill someone; unfortunately, he chose Ross. However, all of that is a thing of the past now, luckily Ross is still alive after the failed murder attempt. It also raises questions about gun laws in the United States of America. When is it acceptable to discuss these outbreaks of violence?