Braces save life of teenager in street shooting

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

Video

Braces block bullet
July 12: A Pontiac, Michigan man is in a lot of pain — but not dead — after his braces stopped a bullet. WDIV's Bisi Onile-ere reports.

NBC News Channel

Video: Wonderful World

Ping-pong diplomats look back
Jan. 7: Players from the first U.S. national table tennis team to be invited to compete in China recall the era that pre-existed diplomatic ties between the U.S. and China.

Festival showcases castles of ice

Baby jaguar debut

89-year-old bowls

Welcoming home a furry hero

Your turn!

Inspirational athletes
In honor of the 2008 Olympics, we're celebrating the athletes in your own life who inspire greatness.

Giving

Top 10 charitable gifts of 2008
Despite a recession, wealthy Americans continued to open their wallets last year. Here's a look at the top 10 charitable gifts of 2008.

Charities hurt in Madoff case get charity

Lung Association chapter is deflated

Charity gets personal amid economic hardship

Message board

What do you think? Share your thoughts on happy news from home and abroad.

NBC News and msnbc.com

updated 4:40 p.m. ET July 11, 2008

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.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

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.