PHOENIX — Anthony and his family have treasured every second with each other over the last two weeks after they almost lost their father in an unimaginable way.
"The only thing going through my mind is, is my dad alive?" Anthony said. "He's extremely lucky to be alive. All of us as a family say he's lucky to be alive and still breathing. The only explanation is it's an act of God he was able to survive that situation."
Anthony, who only wanted to go by his first name out of safety concerns, said on Nov. 2 at around 8:30 p.m., his father, Louis, stopped by Smart&Final near 28th Street and Indian School Road to pick up something to eat. He returned to his car and noticed something as he was driving away.
"From his vantage point he saw two people who looked like they were forcefully pushing a woman into the car," Anthony said. "So basically what he did was honk his horn to draw attention to the situation."
Louis continued to drive away, and only remembers the pain.
"He was shot on the right side of the skull," Anthony said. "As he was driving the bullet came from the passenger rear window and hit the right side and traveled through the left side of the face and was lodged under his left eye. He didn't realize that at first he'd gotten shot. He felt force to his head and kept driving and then realized he was bleeding quite profusely."
After realizing he was seriously hurt, Louis pulled over and tried dialing 911. Anthony said his father couldn't get through because the phone was covered in blood. However, a miracle happened that Anthony says helped save his dad's life.
"Fortunately, there was a gentleman walking his dog," Anthony said. "He asked him to call 911 so he could get some help. If it wasn't for that guy walking his dog, my dad probably wouldn't be here. We're super thankful for whoever that good Samaritan actually is."
Louis was taken to a hospital for treatment. Remarkably, the bullet caused no permanent damage to his eyes or brain. He's since undergone several surgeries but is now back home recovering. Anthony said his father has a long road ahead, especially emotionally.
"We're so lucky and so fortunate he's with us right now," Anthony said. "It's pretty traumatizing for not only him, but us too. He raised us to do the right thing and he did that but never in a million years did we expect that reaction from someone."
Anthony said the shooting has in a weird way, made their tight-knit family even stronger. Their main focus now is on their father and hopefully getting justice. Phoenix police said no suspects have been identified at this time which is why Louis' family members ask anyone with information to call investigators.
"I want to thank the hospital staff, the Emergency Responders, the police and the good Samaritan who called 911," Anthony said. "We can't thank you all enough for saving my father that evening and helping him get through this. My dad and us are resilient. He taught us that and we appreciate everyone's support it goes a long way."
If you have information you can call 480-WITNESS, you can call anonymously. The family has set up a GoFundMe to help with medical expenses. You can donate here.