A cellphone in the victim’s pocket blocked a bullet during an attempted armed robbery and shooting at a Boynton Beach Marathon gas station on Tuesday. (Palm Beach County Jail, Palm Beach County)
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) —A <a href="https://myappsplus.com/7-apps-that-look-gorgeous-on-the-iphone-duos-display/” title=”7 apps that look gorgeous on the iPhone Duo's display”>iPhone in the victim’s pocket blocked a bullet during an attempted armed robbery and shooting at a Boynton Beach Marathon gas station on Tuesday.
According to the Boynton Beach Police Department, theincident unfolded around 11:12 a.m. at 1610 S. Congress Ave. Marathon. The victim told investigators he was walking back to his Jeep Wrangler when a suspect, later identified as 18-year-old Christopher Carlos Porta, pressed a firearm into his back and demanded his belongings.
When the victim refused, the suspect fired a second round directly at his left shorts pocket. The cellphone, an iPhone with an OtterBox case, inside the pocket stopped the bullet from striking his body. The victim fled toward the gas pumps as the suspect fired additional shots.
Surveillance footage captured the suspect’s gun malfunctioning during the confrontation, causing live rounds to spill onto the ground. The victim was transported to Delray Trauma Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators used traffic cameras and witness statements to track the suspects to a West Palm Beach residence on Laura Lane. As officers surrounded the home, Porta threw a 9mm handgun into an alley before surrendering.
The victim positively identified Porta in a photo lineup, leading to his arrest for attempted homicide and attempted robbery with a firearm.
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