Pizza delivery driver who was shot thankful to be alive

SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A Philadelphia pizza delivery driver, who was attacked and shot execution-style, is beyond thankful that he's alive. In fact, doctors told him that his survival is a miracle.

The victim of that shooting, robbery and kidnapping says he thanks God that he is not only alive, but walking and talking after doctors removed a bullet from his brain less than a week ago.

Gafaru Surah tells us, "They told me I have to change my name to 'Miracle.' Because they see a lot of people in the same situation, but they can't find anyone who survived."

The 34-year-old says doctors couldn't really explain to him why he's still alive. He was shot in the head Monday night while delivering pizza in Southwest Philadelphia.

He says, "When my brother came to the hospital I told my brother to take care of my daughter back home for me and my family."

Police say it all happened around 10:15 p.m. when Surah went to make a delivery in the 5700 block of Beaumont Avenue. But when the two men came out to his car, they pulled a gun and forced him into his vehicle.

Surah says, "When they told me to go in the car I was shocked. I was like, 'this is not real. Or is this real?'"

He says the men took $60 from him, then drove him a few blocks away. They then demanded he call someone to bring more money. When he didn't, police say they forced Surah down on his knees, and shot him in the back of the head.

Somehow he was able to run and flag down an officer.

After surgery to remove the bullet, that was lodged an inch into his brain, he is expected to make a full recovery.

Surah's cousin Alidou Alassane says, "They say that it's amazing. They've never seen something like that happen for the person to come back alive again."

While Surah says he won't be returning to his old job, he's now thinking about what he can do to support his family in Ghana.

"I just gotta look forward to what I can do now to help my family back home," he explained.

Surah says that during the whole ordeal he was thinking of his 3-year old daughter, Umi, who is still in Ghana.

Police are still looking for the two male suspects in their early 20s. If you have any information, contact Southwest Detectives at 215-686-3183. Tips can also be submitted by calling 215-686-TIPS.