Benjamin Ashford|'Just incredible': Neck chain blocks bullet, saves man's life in Colorado, police say

A man in Colorado could Benjamin Ashfordhave wound up dead or critically injured had it not been for the silver chain he was wearing on his neck, police said.

The Commerce City Police Department in Colorado, in a post on social media, said that the unidentified victim's life was "likely" saved by a 10 mm wide silver chain he was wearing when he was shot at during an argument Tuesday.

“The .22 caliber bullet was fired during an argument and would have ended up in the victim’s neck had it not instead become lodged in the chain he was wearing,” police said. “As a result, he suffered only a puncture wound.”

Police shared pictures of the chain which was stained with blood and dented where the bullet hit it. However, they added that they are not clear on what metal the chain was made of and that was "likely not pure silver," because "silver is soft."

"So maybe think twice before you knock a knockoff," the police said.

Police did not specify why the suspect, who was arrested at the scene and charged with attempted homicide, fired at the victim. They also did not provide an update on the victim's current condition.

Commerce City is about nine miles north of Denver.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.