HTC cell phone Takes a bullet

ATLANTA — The cell phone belonging to a 29-year-old Atlanta valet was more than a convenience early Thursday morning; it may have been a life saver.

The holes in John Garber’s jacket tell only part of the story. There is also the dent in the domino sized cell phone battery that acted like a bullet-proof vest.

“It’s so surreal to think a bullet came within a half inch of going into my chest,” Garber said. “It’s one of those crazy things in life. Count your blessings.”

Garber was outside of the Halo Lounge downtown, working his valet job for National Parking. Just before 3 a.m., he turned to help a customer and heard five gunshots. One of the bullets ripped through his jacket, bound for his chest, but the bullet was blocked by John Garber’s HTC Evo cell phone and its Superman-like battery.

“I felt the bullet go through my jacket, but couldn’t feel a wound,” Garber said. “Thank God there wasn’t one.”

Atlanta police officers who were in the area heard the gunshots. Witnesses pointed them to Desmond and Timothy Wright, who were arrested. Authorities believe 27-year-old Desmond Wright fired the shots outside of the club. He’s charged with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a felon, and terroristic threats. His 26-year-old brother is charged with being a party to the crime.

Sgt. Curtis Davenport of the Atlanta Police Department says the pair had been kicked out of the club about an hour before the shooting. Sgt. Davenport says two weapons were found in the suspect’s vehicle.

Officers believe Garber was a random victim and not an intended target. The valet says he was surrounded by more than 20 people when the bullets started flying.

“And no one was hit,” said Garber. “It’s unbelievable. Definitely someone watching over us.”

Detectives still have his phone, but John Garber is keeping the bullet branded battery. He planned to go back to work Friday night and get another phone just like the one he had before.

Sprint is replacing the cell free of charge.

Lucky John Garber