A little over two weeks after being shot in the chest and with doctors and family fearing the worst, Richard Gaglio was last night sitting up in bed at Johns Hopkins Hospital, chatting about his near-death experience and eagerly anticipating his return to Bermuda tomorrow.

If anyone were to doubt medical miracles, then 62-year-old Mr. Gaglio is living proof that they do indeed exist.

Less than a day after two men burst into his Smith's home, demanding cash before one of them pulled the trigger from almost point blank range, Mr. Gaglio's wife, Mary Frances was told his chances of survival were, at best, slim.

Amazingly, the bullet missed all of his vital organs and lodged between the ribs, but the ensuing stroke that the victim suffered was, at the time, believed to have caused extensive brain damage.

Yet, when Mr. Gaglio emerged from an induced coma, he began moving his arms and legs. The following day he began acknowledging those talking to him, including doctors who had virtually given up hope.

Yesterday, having had the bullet removed in surgery performed by highly respected, and fellow Bermudian, Dr. Malcolm Brock at Johns Hopkins, all indications were that he will make a full recovery.

Sitting at his bedside, as she has for almost a week, Mary Frances admitted she had been stunned by her husband's rapid improvement.

"I just want to thank everyone who has given so much support," she said. "From the doctors who have looked after Richard to the many friends who have been enquiring every day about his progress."

Among those has been Richard's twin brother, Raymond, one of many who had attended a regular poker game at the Gaglios' home on the night the shooting occurred.

He spent hours at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital before Richard was airlifted to the Baltimore hospital regarded as the best in the world, and has been constantly on the phone since his brother slowly but surely regained his speech.

While not ready to talk publicly about his ordeal, Richard said simply: "You find out who your real friends are in situations like this.

"I'm feeling better every day. Like Mary Frances said, we just want to thank everybody who's helped me get through this."

Police have yet to make any arrests and have released little information regarding the progress of their investigation.

All of those who played poker on the night of the shooting have been interviewed as well as several others who have participated in games at Mr. Gaglio's home in recent months, although it's believed none are suspects.

It's understood that the two men, both of whom were wearing masks covering their faces, one much smaller than the other, made their escape on foot, possibly crossing an adjoining property.

While shootings have been a more frequent occurrence in Bermuda over the past few years, the latest incident sparked outrage with many residents, including Raymond Gaglio, fearing they were no longer safe in their own homes.

A suggestion of a firearm amnesty has been laughed off by former MP Quinton Edness and the Gaglio family who believe more drastic action is required to curb the increasing violence.