Former Disney Channel actress Christy Carlson Romano was rushed to the hospital after a shocking accident left her wounded from gunfire while celebrating a special occasion.
The 40-year-old actress, widely known for her beloved roles as Ren Stevens in Even Stevens and the voice of the fearless Kim Possible, continues to be an active presence in the entertainment industry. Most recently, she competed in the third season of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, where she was eliminated in the eighth episode, airing on January 29.
Now, Romano has taken to social media to reveal the terrifying details of how she ended up in a hospital after being accidentally shot.
A Celebration Turns Into a Nightmare
The actress explained that she had planned a fun outing for her husband, Brendan Rooney’s birthday, taking him to a shooting range for clay pigeon shooting as a unique way to celebrate.
However, the day quickly took a horrifying turn when a member of another group at the range misfired, sending a projectile in the wrong direction—directly at Christy Carlson Romano’s face.
She shared the terrifying moment in an Instagram post, writing:
“Yesterday was my husband’s birthday, and I took him to shoot clay pigeons as a present. There was another party with us, and they unsafely fired in the wrong direction—and shot me in the face.”
A Husband’s Quick Thinking Saves the Day
The situation escalated within seconds, but Romano’s husband reacted instantly, springing into action to assess her injuries and rush her to the hospital.
She detailed his quick response, writing:
“Brendan immediately sprung into action, assessed me, and rushed me to the hospital.”
Medical staff quickly began examining her injuries and determined that she had been hit in five places, with one frighteningly close to her right eye—less than an inch away from a potentially catastrophic injury.
Unfortunately, one of the metal fragments remains lodged behind her eye, and doctors have deemed surgical removal too risky at this time.
However, Romano reassured her followers that her vision remains intact, stating:
“Doctors will continue to monitor me (I can see normally at the moment).”
Gratitude Amid the Trauma
Despite enduring a near-death experience, Romano’s perspective remains one of gratitude rather than anger.
She shared her emotional reflections with her followers, writing:
“All I can think about is how grateful I am to be alive.”
The actress emphasized just how precious life is, reminding her audience to cherish every moment with loved ones.
“I love my daughters, husband, family, and friends so much. I saw my life flash before my eyes and I’m telling you—hug the people around you every chance you get. Life can change in an instant.“
She also took the time to acknowledge the incredible work of first responders, writing:
“I’m very grateful to first responders as a whole. I mean, they’re just the most amazing, superhero-like people, taking care of us at our most desperate times.”
A Close-Up Look at the Aftermath
Along with her written statement, Romano posted a video displaying her injuries, showing where the remaining fragments of the pellet are still embedded in her face.
In the video, she carefully pointed out her wounds, giving her fans an honest, unfiltered look at the consequences of the accident.
A Husband’s Heartfelt Response
Romano’s husband, Brendan Rooney, also took to social media, pouring his heart out in a deeply emotional message, showing his immense relief that his wife survived the ordeal.
He wrote:
“The bravest, toughest, most stoic, and bada woman I have ever met*. I am so thankful you are alive. I am so thankful you are the mother to our children. I wouldn’t know what to do without you. I love you more than life itself.”*
A Strong Family Unit
Christy Carlson Romano and Brendan Rooney, who have been married since December 2013, share two daughters, Isabella and Sophia.
Their strong bond and unwavering support for each other was on full display during this terrifying event, with Rooney acting swiftly to protect his wife and Romano remaining resilient in the face of trauma.
Unanswered Questions Remain
While Romano has shared the details of the shooting accident, there are still many unanswered questions surrounding the circumstances of the misfire.
ABC News reached out to Romano’s representatives for further information, including:
- The exact location of the incident
- Whether a police report was filed
- If any legal action will be taken against those responsible
However, at the time of publication, no additional statements had been provided.
Additionally, the hospital where Romano received treatment has not released any official updates on her condition or the long-term impact of her injuries.
A Lucky Escape & A Lesson in Safety
This incident could have ended much worse—a matter of inches could have changed everything for Christy Carlson Romano and her family.
Her harrowing experience serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of gun safety, especially in environments where multiple people are handling firearms at the same time.
For now, Romano remains grateful to be alive, and her fans continue to send their support and well wishes as she recovers from the trauma of the shooting.
As she said herself:
“Life can change in an instant. Hug your loved ones while you can.”