CIBOLO, Texas - Two centimeters is all that separated Robert Merrick from life and death when he was shot three times by a former co-worker. Police say the suspected shooter took his own life shortly after shooting Merrick in his driveway Friday morning.
Two bullets pierced 38-year-old Merrick's neck and he says doctors told him if they were further in, "It would have killed me. It would have hit my spinal cord."
Merrick says his co-worker raced up to his driveway at about 7:25 Friday morning in a Mustang Cobra and was armed with a gun.
"As soon as I saw the pistol, I floored (my) car and he started shooting. He was from me to you, just aiming at my head," Merrick said, indicating he was only a few feet from his attacker.
Afraid he was being chased, Merrick erratically drove himself to the Cibolo Police Department despite his wounds. He was rushed to San Antonio Military Medical Center where he was later released.
"I don't know why I'm still alive. I don't know why I'm still talking," he said.
Merrick said he had complained to his former boss about the suspect, telling human resources he was concerned the suspect was dangerous. Merrick believes his complaints were ignored and the former co-worker retaliated Friday morning.
Police say the suspect fatally shot himself in the Bentwood Ranch Community Facility in the 2400 block of Cibolo Valley Drive after the shooting. Authorities did not release his identity.
Friday evening, Merrick was still visibly in shock.
"I'm just really lucky. I think there may be other plans for me," he said. "I don't know why I was saved today."
