Liverpool man shot in the back in LA says ‘it could have been worse’

A man who was shot in the back while on holiday in the US was saved after police officers performed CPR on him as he lay bleeding out on the street.

Liverpudlian Shaun Byrne, 35, has spoken out after his brush with death in Venice Beach, Los Angeles, when a brief altercation at a busy bar nearly ended in tragedy. 

The incident took place on July 30, when Shaun and a friend became involved in a verbal argument outside a bar in the 20th block of Windward Avenue.

Shaun said he could remember nothing of the incident until he awoke in the Ronald Reagan UCLA hospital after emergency surgery.

It was only when doctors explained that he released how close he came to losing his life.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Shaun said: ‘I found out I got shot in the back and the bullet went straight through, exiting my chest.

‘I was treated at the scene by the LAPD and paramedics who resuscitated me.

Liverpool engineer Shaun Byrne was shot in the back outside a bar in Los Angeles but has since made a full recovery (Picture: Liverpool Echo)

‘I stayed in hospital for a few weeks then flew home. I’ve been recovering and I’m good now.

‘I can’t complain though, it could have been a lot worse so I’m lucky. The LAPD and UCLA hospital staff definitely saved my life.’

According to police: ‘The argument escalated into a physical fight and then turned violent when the suspect chased after both tourists with a gun. 

‘As the tourists ran away, the suspect shot the tourists and then fled on foot from the scene.

Shaun’s friend was hit in the leg during the shooting and has also recovered from the incident (Picture: Liverpool Echo)

‘Both victims sustained significant wounds from the gunshots and were hospitalised for their injuries. The shooting was captured on video.’

Former Royal Navy engineer Shaun, who now works as a chief engineer specialising in yachts, says the bullet passed through his lung ‘very close to my heart’, and a short time after being struck he collapsed.

‘I blacked out,’ he said. ‘They were doing CPR and I wasn’t responding.’

Yet remarkably, Shaun says he feels no anger towards the man who shot him. ‘I feel sorry for him,’ he told the Echo.

‘He’s ruined his life. It’s a waste.’

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A statement from the LAPD said detectives from its Pacific Division are hunting for Dixon, who the force said should be considered ‘armed and dangerous’.

Despite a painful period in the immediate aftermath, Shaun says he has since made a full physical recovery.

The other man wounded in the incident is believed to have been shot in the leg and has since recovered.

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Shaun Byrne was shot in the back whilst on holiday in LA.