Belt buckle saves man hit by stray bullet in Yonkers

YONKERS (WABC) -- Imagine just sitting on your couch when suddenly a bullet comes flying into your ceiling.

The freak accident in Westchester County landed a man in the hospital, but something he was wearing saved his life.

Less than 24 hours later, Miguel Vazquez is home from the hospital but still walking gingerly.

The 70-year old was hit by a stray bullet near his stomach. It was a freak incident that left the 70-year old confused at first because the round that was fired came through his ceiling.

Vazquez heard a bang, but didn't realize he had been shot.

"I thought it was a scratch, I didn't feel pain at that moment," Vazquez said.

Vazquez was sitting in a back room, slouched in a chair, and that is a key detail because it was this that saved him from serious injury.

His Puerto Rico belt buckle was hit by the bullet.

Vazquez was spared direct impact and was cut by fragments.

His son who was in another room rushed to help.

"I told him to sit down, he was bleeding, I saw his stomach," said Julio Vazquez, the victim's son.

Yonkers Police have arrested 21-year old Eston Kershaw who they say was visiting the apartment upstairs.

Police say Kershaw admitted accidently discharging the 9mm handgun. It's something the Vazquez family can't quite understand.

"It's all ridiculous to heave weapons upstairs," Julio Vazquez said.

"How lucky is your dad?" Eyewitness News said

"He's very lucky, lucky to have that belt buckle," said Miguel Vazquez, Jr., the victim's son.