Brownsville resident Taronn Sloan is an anti-gun violence advocate who is part of the outreach group Brownsville In, Violence Out.
He found himself at the center of a situation he usually tries to prevent last Tuesday when he was struck by a bullet at his own home at the Tilden Houses.
Sloan says he was on his way to get food when he noticed a suspicious person wearing a mask in the hallway.
He decided to warn some children to stay away and within moments, he found himself being shot in the chest.
While it appeared to be a random attack, he says he is thankful he took the bullet rather than any of his neighbors.
Sloan was treated at Brookdale Hospital, where his fellow anti-gun violence advocates gathered to pray for his recovery. Mayor Eric Adams also paid a visit to him at the hospital.
Sloan is in good spirits a week later and thankful for the support system around him.
Sloan tells News 12 his message moving forward is that violence can happen to anyone, so if you see something, say something because it could save lives.