I was shot in the face by killing spree gunman... and survived thanks to titanium plate in my nose



His shooting rampage claimed the lives of seven people but the death toll could have been higher.

While Rodrick Shonte Dantzler was being chased by police through the streets of Grand Rapids, Michigan, he shot another innocent man in the face - who was only saved because of the titanium plate in his nose.

Robert Poore and his cousin, Harold Taylor were stuck in a traffic jam when they noticed erratic behaviour coming from one of the drivers.

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Miraculous escape: Robert Poore was shot in the face by Dantzer during the shootout in the Grand Rapids but was saved by a titanium plate in his nose

As they tried to move off, the Lincoln Navigator minivan - which Dantzer was driving - pinned their pick-up truck to another.

That's when Mr Taylor said he saw Dantzer and his gun.

Killer: Rodrick Dantzler shot six people and then turned the gun on himself

Speaking to Wood TV, he said: 'As soon as we take a right on Grandville, the car stood beside us and pinned us against the truck and then he [Dantzler] raised his gun and started shooting at our truck and my cousin threw my head down.

'I tried to get up to see the license and as soon as I did that I seen his eyes while he was shooting, non-stop.'

Dantzler then shot Mr Poore in the face and it hit his nose, but the titanium plate that had been installed as part of childhood cancer treatment caused the bullet to ricochet, resulting in only minor injuries.

He went to the hospital but was released later that day.

Mr Taylor said he prayed the man would be caught as he knew by the look in his eyes he was aiming to kill.

Dantzler killed six people before turning the gun on himself during a six-hour rampage.

Among the victims were two of his ex-girlfriends , his daughter and another child.

Police were alerted after the gunman's mother called police.

Shortly after the 911 call, police found the bodies of Amanda Emkens, 27, Kimberlee Emkens - Dantzler's ex-girlfriend - and ten-year-old Marissa Emkens.



Scene: A Grand Rapids police car that was both hit and fired upon sits on the corner of Division and Fulton in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Thursday Fire: Poore was shot in the face during a shoot out in the middle of the Grand Rapids in Michigan when Dantzler opened fire on the public and police

An hour later, police discovered the other four victims across town in a ranch-style house on a cul-de-sac called Brynell Court.Those victims have been identified as Jennifer Heeren, Dantzler's ex-girlfriend, Kamrie Dantzler his 12-year-old daughter; and Thomas and Rebecca Heeren, Jennifer's mother and father.

Dantzler led police in a high-speed chase, at one point driving the wrong way down the interstate highway with more than a dozen squad cars in pursuit and helicopters overhead.



After crashing his car, the 34-year-old ex-convict escaped on foot before bursting into another home and taking three people hostage.



Within hours, dozens of officers with guns drawn had cordoned off a neighbourhood near a small lake in the northern part of the city and shut down a nearby interstate highway.



When another shot was fired, police braced themselves for more victims - but it was Dantzler turning his gun on himself.

Police Chief Kevin Belk said: ' He was talking about coming out, giving himself up. He decided at the last moment to fire the gun.'

Dantzler bullet bounced off man's nose: woodtv.com



