Shooting victim in armed robbery shares story

MIAMI (WSVN) -- A local man who survived a jewelry store shooting is telling his story.

On Christmas Eve, 58-year-old McNeil Wilson, was working at Bright Star Jewelry inside a flea market located on Northwest 139th Street and Seventh Avenue when a couple of men came in firing guns and smashing glass.

He came under attack when the armed robbers opened fire inside the store where he was currently working at. He was shot in the back and remembers the moment he was hit. Wilson said, "The guy hit me in the back with a bullet. It exited the front of my chest. I was just saying, I don't know if I was going to make it. I was just scared."

Wilson said he was praying when he was on the ground because he did not think he was going to make it out alive. "Yes, I was praying because when I hit the ground, I looked at my son and I said. 'Son, I got hit,'" said Wilson.

Being the sole provider for 10 children and 16 grandchildren, he knew he had to do something. "My son said, 'Daddy, one of them coming over.' So, I didn't want them to come over because if they come over one of them is going to shoot me again, so I fired one shot. I didn't really wanna hurt anybody cause I'm scared to kill someone."

Wilson made it out alive, and his family is just thankful he is still here. "I'm here. That's the good thing. I'm here and alive. God is wonderful," said Wilson.

His wife of 26 years added, "God does things for a reason, and it's just a miracle."

Wilson spent Christmas Day in the hospital and was released Wednesday night.

The gunmen are still on the run, and there is still a very active investigation going on.

If you have any information on this robbery and shooting, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

(Copyright 2012 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)