Posted on 09/02/2010 10:32:14 AM PDT by a fool in paradise
PANAMA CITY BEACH — The top of Mark Rush’s head was covered in a cap, keeping the results of a near fatal gunshot wound a tantalizing secret.
But when he finally removed the hat Monday afternoon to reveal his skull, there was no trace of the 52 stitches doctors used to sew his scalp back together earlier this month. There was barely even a scar.
Rush’s neurologist says the same thing every time the two get together, Rush said: “Damn, you’re lucky.”
Rush, 57, was painting a shirt earlier this month when a young man crept onto his property.
Rush said he thought about grabbing his gun before confronting the young trespasser but decided against it. That turned out to be the wrong decision because the man, whom Rush described as white and between the ages of 17 and 21 with rotten teeth, pulled out a pistol.
“I’m thinking, ‘This guy is serious,’ ” Rush said. He added that during the struggle with the shaking “tweaker” the man shot him once across the top of his head.
Later, during a subsequent struggle, the suspect shot again straight down Rush’s back and into his bamboo floor. The bullet did not touch his back the way it sliced through his skull, Rush said.
When the two men separated, the suspect aimed his gun at Rush again and pulled the trigger, but it didn’t fire, he said. Either the gun jammed or the clip came partially out during the struggle.
Whatever the reason, Rush saw his moment and seized it, ejecting the man from his house and grabbing a sword. When the suspect saw that Rush was armed he fled, Rush said.
Bay County sheriff’s investigators have been looking for the shooter ever since. There is also evidence others may have been involved in the daylight burglary attempt, officials said.
“Our focus is on this guy,” Investigator Jason Daffin said of the shooter. “That’s the one I want to get.”
Rush said he wants to see the man behind bars, as well.
“I just don’t want anyone else to suffer what I went through,” Rush said.
It bothers him that the suspect could show up at someone else’s door.
“If you see anything suspicious, just assume that they got a gun and they’re going to shoot you,” Rush said. “Be on alert.”
Being shot in the head was only Rush’s latest brush with death.
He’s been bitten by a shark, in a plane that skidded off a runway during a landing, survived a heart attack, and was only a few feet away from an explosion at a Panama City Beach dive shop last year. He also was mugged twice at gunpoint in New Orleans.
However, his head is healed and the neurologist recently cleared the avid kite surfer to go back into the gulf as long as he wears a helmet.
“My glass is half full,” Rush said.
“Painting a shirt?”
LOL. I thought the same thing. The dude is 57 not 4.
re: His nickname is “Lucky”
Do you know the joke with the punch line “Absolutely, two minutes earlier and he’d gotten me right between the eyes!”?
The guy lives in Panama City and is probably an artist. He probably makes tons of money selling his hand painted clothing on the beach. More power to him.
re: His nickname is “Lucky
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Was wondering how they were going to tie that calamitous trip together.
Sure his name isn’t Joe BTFSPLK? or at least Wiley Coyote?
I figured he got shot by an angry passenger while flying a small plane, crashed the plane in the water, got bit by a shark while swimming to shore, and had a heart attack when he got there.
I was going to classify it as “Worst day ever.”
no I don’t. I was thinking of the missing dog ad -
“missing dog, 1 eye, 3 legs no tail and goes by the name of LUCKY”
Wow! What a small world. I couldn’t believe it when I saw the name Mark Rush. He’s one of the most famous airbrush artist there is. Actually he is one of the pioneers of the airbrushed T shirt. I was actually an airbrush artist for years between the early 80’s through the mid 90’s. We made A LOT of money and led the beach bum, rock star style lifestyle. I remember one guy I painted with was a big time windsurfer and decided to see if he could make enough in one day to buy 2 new boards. He painted his guts out that day at the water slide and pocketed $800! Cash! Not bad for a 22 year old kid in 1983! All the airbrushers traveled around the coast checking out each others work and Mark Rush was always THE king! It sounds like a silly way to make a few bucks but we worked at State Fairs, Fishing Rodeos, and Water Slides and it was quite a money maker. Long hours, late nights and work every weekend and every holiday, but it was all worth it for a 20-something with money to burn. I never did get shot in the head, but I did come close to shooting someone else in the head though. One night about 1:00 AM after painting all day at the Fishing Rodeo, with my pockets bulging with cash, I went to make a phone call at a pay phone (no cell phones in those days) when a guy walked into the booth with me and asked if I had any dope or money. I said “hell no” as I reached into my back pocket and pulled out my revolver. He quickly backed out of the booth with his hands up, saying “don’t shoot me man”. Anywho, I just can’t believe it, Mark Rush...well I’ll be dipped.
Sounds like he’s still kicking.
Here’s his place...
http://www.bigairbrush.com/artists_mrush.htm
Glad to see there's another Old Fud on this board.
For the younger generation, I offer THIS.
If you recall, I had suggested that BO’s symbol should have been the Shmoo.
If you recall, I had suggested that BO’s alter ego was the Shmoo.
Just proves my theory, when its your time to go, you’ll go no matter what you are doing.....this guys time is not up yet...I think we are like dairy products, we all have an expiration date. Thats it....
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