Knife Deflects Attacker’s Bullet, Saves Man’s Life

A knife was just the weapon Martin Freer needed when caught in gunfire that left another man wounded. A bullet bounced off the knife, which Freer wore at his waist, saving his life, Officer Jaime Fitzsimons said Thursday.

“It definitely saved his life. It deflected the bullet,” Fitzsimons said.

Freer, 21, and Roberto Rojas were walking south on Burlington Avenue in Los Angeles Wednesday at about 11 p.m. when a man ran toward them waving a handgun. He opened fire. The first shot struck Rojas in the thigh and the second hit the knife, Fitzsimons said. A third shot missed them both.

The attacker drove away in a car and was still at large Thursday, police said. Rojas was in stable condition at the Hospital of the Good Samaritan, Fitzsimons said.