SAT . For the first time, Hector Serrato Jr. is telling the story of the day his life was nearly taken — and why he believes he’s still here.

Before that day, Hector was a barber at King Kuts in San Benito, Texas. He was a single father of three, a hardworking man who spent his days serving his community and providing for his children.

But on March 13, during a violent robbery, Hector’s life changed forever.

He was shot more than a dozen times and left fighting for his life.

Bullets tore through his face, chest, arm, leg, and abdomen. One came dangerously close to his heart. Another caused such severe damage to his intestines that doctors were forced to remove part of them during emergency surgery.

Hector was placed in a coma and spent 21 days in the hospital.

Doctors didn’t know if he would wake up.
Or walk again.
Or ever work again.

But ten months later, after countless hours of therapy, relentless pain, and repeated setbacks, Hector is back on his feet.

He’s back behind the barber chair.
Slowly regaining movement in his injured hand.
Learning how to live with an ileostomy.

Some people call him a walking miracle.
Others say he’s simply lucky.

Hector says he’s blessed.

Surviving changed everything — the way he sees life, how deeply he values time, and how fiercely he loves his children. He believes they are the reason he kept fighting when his spirit was at its lowest. The reason he didn’t give up.

For months, Hector stayed silent, believing his story didn’t matter. Now he knows it does — because somewhere out there, someone may be hurting, scared, or feeling like hope is gone.

“And if a man shot more than a dozen times can stand back up, give free haircuts to his community, and choose faith over bitterness,” Hector says, “then maybe there’s hope for them too.”

Hector believes God left him here for a reason.
And now, he’s ready to live that purpose out loud.

If this story moved you, leave him a message.
And share his story — to give hope to someone out there fighting the impossible. 🙏