Health security

Paratrooper used a power tool to stop blood loss of man shot in robbery

Private First Class Patrick Montgomery was at the gas station next to Bragg Pawn Shop in Fayetteville, North Carolina, when seven to 10 gunshots rang out on the night of Nov. 30.

“As I turned my truck around, I saw the pawn shop door all shot up,” Montgomery told Army Times. “I’m not sure what prompted me to respond, I just had a feeling that someone might need help, which they did."

After calling the police, Montgomery approached the door and noticed a pool of blood on the ground. He then poked his head through the shattered door to make sure no shooters were still in the building.

...“After getting him on his back, I reached for my belt, only I wasn’t wearing one,” Montgomery said. “I noticed a shelf filled with power tools, so I ran over and grabbed a power tool with a cord, broke the zip-tie off of the tool and wrapped the cord around his leg and attempted to apply a makeshift tourniquet.”

While they waited for paramedics, the owner continued to slip in and out of consciousness.

Montgomery focused on keeping the man awake and talking, telling him everything would be fine and asking him to describe the shooter.