NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Despite a driving rain storm, the big bangs and bright lights attracted 150,000 people to downtown Nashville for the July 4th fireworks.
One bang in particular got Thomas Michaud's attention.
The Watertown resident was talking to friends in the parking lot of Nissan Stadium. Michaud thought he'd been hit by a firecracker, but the show was over.
"So I started to wipe off what I thought was a singe mark and then I saw in my right arm that there was a bump, so I looked at it and there's a cut there, and I could feel something inside of me," said Michaud.
A bullet grazed one arm and penetrated the other. He said didn't feel any real pain, until doctors dug around to find the bullet.
"That's when I felt the worst pain, because they had to poke and prod and try to find out where it was exactly before they started cutting you know."
It was the second shooting of the night. The other involved a 9-year-old girl.
In both cases police believe someone fired a bullet into the sky and didn't think about what would happen next. In a crowd that large a single bullet is going to hit somebody.
"Metro Police investigated, but they doubt they'll ever find the shooter," said Michaud.
If they do the minimum charge would be reckless endangerment. A more serious charge of aggravated assault could also be filed.
Michaud said he'll heal up and move on.
As an army veteran who served two tours in Iraq it will take a lot to rattle him.
Michaud said, "I'm upset by it, but it's not going to mess with me for the rest of my life."
He said the only discomfort he has is in the arm where the bullet was removed.
