SEPTA rider hit by stray bullet credits asthma inhaler for preventing lethal injuries

PHILADELPHIA - A SEPTA rider who police say was hit by a stray bullet believes his life was saved from lethal injuries by an asthma inhaler in his front pocket that stopped the bullet from traveling any further. 

Quinzel Kane, a 35-year-old father of three, boarded a Route 56 SEPTA bus around 3 a.m. Tuesday morning to head to work, sitting in the same middle seat he always uses.

"It was a typical Tuesday morning back to work, and I was ready to go hard today," Kane told FOX 29's Jeff Cole. 

It was near the intersection of Torresdale Avenue and Orthodox Street where police say gunfire struck the SEPTA bus, hitting Kane in the right forearm.

"Boom, you know, I heard some gunshots outside of the bus," Kane said. "The first shot I heard I immediately felt the impact of it, I went down to the ground."

After striking Kane's forearm, the bullet continued towards his stomach and was ultimately stopped by an asthma inhaler that he had in the front pocket of his hooded sweatshirt. 

"It would have hit me right in the gut," Kane said. "First thing came to my mind was my kids, if I'm going to make it home or if I'm going to die just getting shot in the forearm." 

Investigators believe the bullet that struck Kane was fired on the 4000 block of Torresdale Avenue, but no arrests were immediately reported. 

Kane was one of seven people on the early morning bus route. Police say no one else was injured. 

"Getting healed up and getting back to work, but for the meantime I got shot, I'm not getting benefits from my job," Kane said. "Holiday season is coming up…what am I going to do?"