The victim was walking on a Hempstead, Long Island street when he was confronted by three armed robbers Halloween night.
When the victim ran away, the robbers opened fire. The man was hit in the leg, but the bullet was deflected by change in his pocket and his BIC lighter. Luckily, the bullet did not ignite the flammable liquid in the lighter.
"I guess this is the one time when smoking is beneficial because today we are just talking about a minor injury when it could have been much more serious," said New York Police Lt. Raymond Cote.
The 9-millimeter bullet was found in the victim's pocket.
The gunmen have not been found.
