Shot in the head and left for dead, George McCutchen talks about his experience

Exactly one month ago, a Tulsa man got shot in the head. His only crime, changing a flat tire and not handing over his wallet fast enough to a couple of muggers. <br><br>George McCutchen is now well enough

Friday, February 7th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Exactly one month ago, a Tulsa man got shot in the head. His only crime, changing a flat tire and not handing over his wallet fast enough to a couple of muggers.

George McCutchen is now well enough to talk about his experience and talked exclusively with News on Six crime reporter Lori Fullbright.

George McCutchen is doing extremely well considering what he's been through. "I had a cracked skull, bone fragments, the bullet went all the way through, severed an artery and I was bleeding profusely. I lost a lot of blood." All this when McCutchen was only driving to his job, had a blow-out, pulled over to change the tire and was confronted by two teenagers who walked up and demanded money.

â€œOne came up to the side of me and said, give it up. I didn't know what he meant because I didn't know what do I have to give up." McCutchen remembers hearing the shot, feeling it hit his head and walking to a neighbor for help. He even remembers the ambulance ride and talking to police in the emergency room. But, he doesn't remember being angry and still isn't. "It was a life and death situation. No use wondering why it happen, just what are you going to do about it."

McCutchen is an associate pastor at Mount Zion Baptist Church and believes it's a miracle he's alive. He focuses more on the kindness of many over the treachery of two. "I want to thank Mayor LaFortune and the city for all the cards and letters and everyone who's been so kind and courteous."

McCutchen says we live in a dangerous world and need to be cautious, but not stop living. He believes the people who shot him were in a desperate situation, which took desperate actions and he just happened to be in their way.

McCutchen is still not allowed to drive or work, he expects the doctors to give him a clean bill of health on March 11th so he can get back to his normal routine. Police have not made any arrests in the case.