Man survives after being shot 21 times in gunfight

This was published 10 years ago

Man survives after being shot 21 times in gunfight

He was shot 21 times after a gunfight in New York City on Sunday, but survived.

New York City police said Angel Alvarez, 23, was arguing with 22-year-old Luis Soto when he allegedly shot him and then turned his gun on five officers that arrived.

Shot 21 times ... Angel Alvarez.

Shot 21 times ... Angel Alvarez.

The police shot back and both Alvarez and Soto were showered with a hail of bullets - with 46 out of 50 from police.

Mr Soto was killed and six others were injured, including a police officer shot in the chest by one of his colleagues.


Mr Alvarez's miraculous survival was "a record", a forensic pathologist told the New York Daily News.

"I would say more than 20 gunshot wounds is a record," Dr Vincent DiMaio said.


His sister told the Daily News Mr Alvarez was already talking in hospital and had bullet wounds in his arms, legs, abdomen and jaws.

Mr DiMaio was confident Mr Alvarez would survive since his vital organs were not hit and he did not bleed heavily.

"Listen, if you make it to the hospital and you can talk, 99 per cent of the time, you'll make it. He'll survive," he said, adding that the most gunshot wounds he had ever found in a man who survived was 17.

The shootout began about 3am during a block party in Harlem that ran hours past its scheduled end.

Police initially claimed Mr Alvarez shot dead Mr Soto before training his weapon at officers.

But medical examiner spokeswoman Ellen Borakove said on Monday Mr Soto was hit five times and died from a wound to the torso that pierced his organs.

Ms Borakove said a single bullet was recovered from Soto's body, with police saying it was consistent with bullets that came from the officers' guns.

The officer hit in the chest, Michael Tedeschi, was wearing a bullet-resistant vest. Another officer who was shot, Alfredo Vargas, was grazed in the hand.

Both are expected to be fine, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

Two other people were hospitalised for gunshot wounds but their conditions weren't available. Two other police officers were hurt, though not seriously.

Police cordoned off the area with yellow tape and residents on Sunday stopped to take a look before going on their way.

"Nothing like this has happened here in years. It's very unusual," said James White, a yoga instructor who lives in the area. and AP

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