The North Charleston Police Department is searching for suspects after a motorist reported being shot at while driving to work on I-526 Monday morning.

James Starnes still has a bullet in his Honda Civic. “He was just shooting wild,” said Starnes, who added the random shooter had perfect teeth and a “beautiful smile.”

The 50-year-old says two black males who appeared to be in their 20s were driving below the speed in both lanes on eastbound I-526 Monday morning and then let all the cars pass – except Starnes. One of the vehicles got off at Leeds Avenue and the other slowed down right next to him, according to an incident report. “I looked out my window and he’s just sitting there smiling at me”, said Starnes who described the shooter’s vehicle as a dark 4-door. “I asked if he had a problem and he let me know he had a problem – he immediately pulled a gun,” said Starnes, “I hit the brake right when he pulled the trigger.”

Starnes says he did not have time to get the tag of the vehicle while the driver shot at him. The Air Force Veteran credits his time in the military and as a defense contractor for his own life. “Everybody says I had a guardian angel,” said Starnes, “I call it situational awareness and quick reflexes.”

Starnes reported for his regular shift just an hour after the shooting and worked the whole day, as usual. He waited until after dinner to tell his wife he was shot at so he could comfort her.

“It was an organized maneuver, cleared of witnesses, a clear exit path they had it down,” said Starnes, who calls Monday’s morning commute attempted murder. “He was right here – face to face with him – smiling and put that gun right in my face and pulled the trigger over and over and over.”

North Charleston Police Department is investigating the incident as vandalism to a vehicle.