© WTSPRichard John Smeraldo was hospitalized after he was struck by a falling bullet as he watched a 4th of July fireworks celebration in Safety Harbor.
Pinellas deputies say Richard John Smeraldo was watching fireworks with his wife and friends near the shoreline at the Safety Harbor Marina when something struck him in the face.
Smeraldo at first thought he was struck by a rock, until a friend found the bullet on the blanket next to her.
Smeraldo was taken to Mease Countryside Hospital, and was released after receiving stitches. Investigators say the bullet apparently went through the bill of Smeraldo's cap, into the bridge of his nose. From there it went out his right nostril, through the upper portion of his bottom lip and exited through his lower chin.
The bullet then struck a medallion that was worn around Smeraldo's neck, bounced off the back of his friend and landed onto the blanket.
Deputies are investigating, but so far, no arrests have been made.
The incident comes as the family of a child who was injured by a falling bullet on New Year's created a non-profit called Bullet Free Sky, discouraging people from using celebratory gunfire.
How many times did this bullet strike and bounce off ?
Smeraldo's cap,
into the bridge of his nose,
went out his right nostril,
through the upper portion of his bottom lip
and exited through his lower chin.
then struck a medallion
bounced off the back of his friend
What a bullet it was!! Dancing through the night, trying to attract attention away from the fireworks.