‘Thank God he’s alive’: High school football player from Michigan survives seven gunshots in Birmingham

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July 17, 2025

“Thank God he’s alive” — that’s how Brian Carter described his son’s miraculous survival after being shot seven times from just five feet away while visiting Birmingham, Alabama, for football training.

Ethan Carter, an 18-year-old Michigan high school football standout and recent Hudsonville High School graduate, was attacked Saturday evening, July 12, during what police say was a gun purchase arranged through social media. Birmingham police told AL.com the transaction for a Glock firearm, set up through Snapchat, turned into a robbery that left Carter with life-threatening injuries.

Carter recounted to ABC10 how he realized he had been shot as blood began pouring down.

“It almost felt like someone had thrown really hard, knockout punches at me. I saw a little bit of blood pouring down and stuff. So that was when I was like, ‘Oh, dang. I actually got shot.’

He was struck twice in the head, as well as in his chest, hands, bicep, and neck, according to his father. Doctors told his family it was extraordinary that none of the wounds were fatal, given that the suspect was just five feet away and fired 24 times.

“[The doctors] said never before have they ever seen anybody that when somebody came up and shot from five feet away, it hasn’t penetrated them anywhere vitally,” Brian Carter told ABC10.

After being shot, Carter managed to run from his car and collapsed on a lawn, where neighbors rushed to his aid. According to WVTM 13, Kory Jackson and her family, who witnessed the shooting, grabbed towels to stop the bleeding and stayed by his side until medics arrived.

“We grabbed the towels. I placed it on his head; I placed it on his neck, and my fiancé stayed right by his side. He was making sure his heart was still beating, and we were still trying to talk to him,” Jackson said.

Birmingham police reiterated a public warning about the dangers of firearms transactions through social media.

“The Birmingham Police Department strongly urges the public to never purchase firearms off the street or through social media platforms. These types of transactions are among the most dangerous and often result in violence. For your safety and the safety of others, always use legal and licensed dealers when acquiring a firearm.”

Carter was released from UAB Hospital on Tuesday and has since returned to Michigan to recover. He told ABC10 he is grateful for his survival and that faith has been central to his outlook.

“I’m just thankful for God about the whole situation – that I’m fine. Even though it was a dark path, I know that I can trust in God that he’ll help me through things.”

Police said the suspects fled in Carter’s vehicle, which was later found burned. No arrests had been made.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].