'A second chance at life': B.C. soccer player nearly killed by stray bullet in U.S. speaks to CTV News

Former Vancouver Whitecaps youth program player Nathan Demian was out celebrating an Ohio State victory that had propelled his top-ranked Buckeyes to soccer’s final four when he was struck by a stray bullet during a gun battle between two passing cars.

Former Vancouver Whitecaps youth program player Nathan Demian was out celebrating an Ohio State victory that had propelled his top-ranked Buckeyes to soccer’s final four when he was struck by a stray bullet during a gun battle between two passing cars.

“It went through my right abdomen and then transversed through my whole body and then ended up on my back left side,” said Nathan, who is recounting the Dec. 7 shooting in Columbus to CTV News for the first time.

The 22-year-old was conscious and able to walk to the ambulance, so he figured his injuries were minor.

“I thought I was going to go play on Friday. Like, I thought they're just going to take the bullet out. I thought I would be fully back,” said Nathan.

But the young soccer player had massive internal injuries and nearly lost his life. His sister Anna, who is a family doctor in Langley, rushed to his bedside not knowing if her brother would make it.

“He almost died on the operating table with how much blood loss there was,” Anna said. While he survived the operation, he was warned that he may require a feeding tube and ostomy bag for the rest of his life. But his prognosis has changed dramatically.

“In contrast to how severe the injury was, the recovery has been nothing short of a miracle to witness,” said Anna. “The fact that he's walking, talking, moving and recovering is quite remarkable for sure.”