Gunshots to the face

Apparently one of the more popular Christmas gifts in Cape Town this year was a gunshot to the face.  We took care of 5 patients with gunshot wounds to the face over the past 3 days.  The most remarkable thing is that they all did really well!  The picture above was the result of a through and through gunshot wound during a robbery.  The entry wound was subtle, and is highlighted by the red circle.  The exit wound was more substantial and blew out part of his right cheek.  He had 2 molars knocked out in the process, but was able to talk and eat today without difficulty.  The story he told me made an impression:

He is the owner of a small store in one of the townships.  A thief came in with a gun and demanded all of his money.  He asked not to be hurt and opened the money box.  At that point, the thief shot him from 3 feet away.  Thinking the owner was dead on the floor, the thief sat in his chair and started counting the money.  The owner took advantage of this opportunity and grabbed the machete that he had hidden behind his counter.  He was able to muster one strong blow to the thief's right shoulder, almost disarticulating his shoulder, which made the thief "scream like a baby."  He immediately dropped the gun and ran.  The owner picked up the gun and shot the fleeing criminal in the leg.  The owner very proudly told me that before the police came, he put the gun behind his counter and that is where it is today.  I don't think anybody else will be trying to steal from this guy in the near future...