The Jacksonville man who survived the massacre at an Orlando nightclub in June said his family helped him get out alive.
Rodney Sumter Jr. was shot three times at Pulse nightclub the night 49 other people were killed.
He sat down with Action News Jax reporter Paige Kelton and told her how he survived after the gunman opened fire.
Photos: Rodney Sumter tells Action News Jax about nightclub shooting, recovery
The father of two said he was working behind the bar on June 12.
He said he ducked down and tried to hide when the shooting started, but the gunman found him.
“I had to keep playing dead,” Sumter said. “I didn't make a peep at all. I was very quiet. When he hit my back, that's when I thought I was taking my last breath."
He was shot once in each elbow and once in the back.
Sumter said he had to make a choice, to stay behind the bar, or get up and run.
“I don't remember how I got up," Sumter said. "This arm, he blew the elbow completely off. It was like a rubber band, I couldn't move it."
Sumter said the faces of his children – 10-year-old twins – gave him the strength to escape.
“That was my strength to keep my focus,” he said. “That’s why I was able to get up and run for survival.”
Once he got outside, a complete stranger helped get him to the hospital.
Josh McGill took off his shirt to make a tourniquet for Sumter and then held him in the back of the police cruiser on the way to the hospital when there wasn't an available ambulance.
The two were reunited on Saturday.
Sumter underwent several surgeries at the hospital and faces an excruciating recovery.
Sumter’s mom Lenita was a constant by his side through it all, and his twins visited him at the hospital on Father’s Day.
He said he broke down when he read a Father’s Day message from his son.
“He said, ‘Daddy you are as smart as Ironman, as strong as Hulk, as fast as Superman and Batman. But you are my favorite superhero.”
Among Sumter's supporters was his former teammate Tim Tebow. They played football together in Jacksonville.
Sumter said even after 10 years they fell into easy conversation about life and what's next.
“That's just how Tebow is,” Sumter said. “He's very positive. He wants to keep you positive he doesn't want you to focus on the negative."
Sumter will start therapy on his shattered elbows on Tuesday.
He said he is taking things one day at a time and thanks god he is alive.
"I'm just glad to be among the survivors and I thank god everyday for giving me opportunity to have a second chance at life and to see my kids," said Sumter.
Cox Media Group
