Veteran shot during racial attack in Tempe has renewed sense of purpose

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — For the first time, we're hearing from a man who survived being shot in the face during what police called a racially motivated attack in October at Tempe Beach Park.

Clinton Fannell considers his survival nothing short of a miracle.

He lost several teeth and has scarring, stitching, and braces inside his mouth, making it difficult to talk and eat.

But he also has a renewed sense of purpose now that he says he's been given a second chance at life.

"It's cathartic, and it's a place of peace and serenity for me," he said as he painted.

The 53-year-old artist is also a veteran experiencing homelessness.

"Try and make people see that just because we are out here on the streets that we are still people," said Fannell. "For a couple of minutes I really did think I was gonna die."

Police say 27-year-old Jason Fox took out his gun while yelling racial slurs at a couple near the Mill Avenue bridge, and just a few minutes later, he shot Fannell in the face.

"This guy came in and said 'I'm here to shoot you' and I said, 'you don't want you to shoot' before I could get 'me' out of my mouth I caught the bullet," Fannell said. "It hit me in the jaw. It bounced across my mouth and knocked out a couple of the teeth and then the bullet lodged in my throat."

Investigators quickly tracked the suspect down and attempted to arrest him, but they say Fox shot a Tempe police detective who returned fire, and Fox died at the scene.

Fannell believes he was too young to be filled with so much hate.

"You're basing your hate simply upon a person's color," he said. "I wish I could have known the guy a little bit better. Maybe I could have gotten him to think a little bit differently."

He says he met Fox about two months before the attack at another nearby park.

Fannell remembers Fox making racist remarks as he watched him paint.

"He admired it, but with disdain like how are you able to paint something like this. Like I wasn't worthy of being given the gift of talent," said Fannell.

While the emotional and physical pain may be long-lasting, Fannell says his survival has renewed his desire to help others and reconnect with his family.

"Blessed and I got something to do I think. I'm here for a purpose now," Fannell said.

Clinton says he is grateful for all the first responders and doctors who saved him. He says he had the opportunity to shake the hand of the detective who was also shot by Fox, which meant a lot to him.