SIKESTON - Few people have bullets fired at their head and survive, but Morgan Strebler did.

The Sikeston resident and magician/illusionist turned himself into a human target on Tuesday afternoon, fulfilling a childhood dream.

Roger Moore, an acquaintance of Strebler's performed the shooting honors at ReArmms Inc., a local shooting range and firearms business.

Those taking part in the exhibition worked to ensure safety and emphasize the event was on the up-and-up. Moore marked the bullet with his initials and Bill Fender, gunsmith, marked it as well. Fender also inspected the gun and declared it to be in perfect working order. The round was loaded with care as Strebler took his position down range.

The young man stood wearing a protective helmet, body armor, protective eye wear some 30-35 feet away from the shooter. Signaling he was ready, Strebler stood as the .357

Colt revolver was pointed toward him. "I kept thinking, 'Please God don't let me die." Moore fired and Strebler's head pitched back in reaction, the helmet hitting the floor. Unhurt, he walked forward making sure not to put his hands near his mouth, while Moore put the revolver down and retrieved an ashtray."

In front of onlookers, Strebler spit out a bullet, asking Moore to testify that it was a fired round and identify the markings, which he did. The empty shell casing was retrieved from the revolver and Fender attested that is bore the markings he had placed on it.

Strebler smiled, brimming with enthusiasm.

Moore said he was contacted Monday night about performing the stunt. He recalled talking to Strebler, "I asked him, 'Are you sure this is what you want to do'?

Noting that there was no way to practice the shooting, Moore' said Strebler told him, "I have faith in you"

Moore, a former deputy sheriff before relocating to the area, is an experienced hunter. " wouldn't consider myself an expert. I do a lot of deer hunting, rabbit hunting," he said.

When hunting, Moore said he ensures clean kill shots to prevent the animal from suffering. "I'm not a marksman. But I know how to put the bullet where it needs to be put." Prior to the stunt, Strebler stepped outside the firing range for a smoke. "I'm a little nervous," he joked.

The 20-year-old remarked that 12 people have been killed attempting to catch a bullet and that he was among the youngest to attempt it. "Since I was little I've always wanted to do this."

Deciding to give it a try, Strebler needed a professional shooting range like Sikeston's ReArmms facility due to the danger involved. His first attempt to set up the demonstration at ReArmms was met with less-than-enthusiastic reception.

"They had to make sure that I would not sue if something went wrong," said Strebler. Either a sign of confidence or just oversight, he had not made any provisions in case anything went wrong. "I told them if anything went wrong just to dial 911 emergency - fast."

The stunt was tasking for Moore, who stated afterward, "You don't pull a gun on somebody and point it at them." He had a target area and treated the flesh-and-blood Strebler as if he were a paper target.

"I don't plan on doing this again," he said, despite the successful attempt.

After the event, Strebler was noticeably excited asking onlookers, "Did you enjoy it?"

Would he tempt fate again? "No, one time only. I'm never going to do this again," he replied.

How did he do it? "I can't tell," Strebler smiled.