A Michigan teenager who survived being shot seven times during a gun purchase in Alabama is now facing federal charges months after the attack.
THE JULY SHOOTING — ORIGINAL INCIDENT
18-year-old Ethan Carter, a Hudsonville High School graduate who frequently traveled to Birmingham, Alabama for football training, was shot on July 12th after agreeing to meet two individuals to buy a Glock handgun. Police confirmed the attempted purchase was legal.
Carter connected with the seller through social media. According to investigators, the meeting “turned into a robbery” when the suspect approached Carter’s vehicle, tilted his head, looked sideways, and opened fire. Twenty-four rounds were fired. Seven hit Carter — two to the head, with additional wounds to his hand, arm, chest, and neck. His car was stolen.
Against all odds, Carter survived and managed to run before collapsing in the grass.
Carter’s mother initially said neurosurgeons found no need for surgery, noting bruising on the brain but no penetrating wounds. Doctors told the family his survival defied logic. “There was no way the bullets shouldn’t have penetrated his skull,” his father, Brian, said. “They said he should have been dead.”
Hudsonville High School confirmed he was in Alabama for routine football training, something he had done since eighth grade.
THE FAMILY’S POSITION — “HE WAS SET UP”
Carter’s family has been adamant that the shooting was not a botched sale, but an orchestrated ambush.
“It wasn’t a Facebook Marketplace ad or anything like that… it was a flat-out setup,”
— Brian Carter
The father said Ethan was targeted on Snapchat, not through a public listing. He said his son saw the deal as a way to add another firearm to their household collection.
“We’re huge gun collectors. He told me, ‘Dad, it was a good deal so I wanted to get us another pistol.’”
Brian described his son as a well-liked, grounded young man.
“He’s a natural-born leader. He’s giving, loving, and tenderhearted. Anybody who knows him knows that.”
Police in Birmingham said there is no evidence he attempted anything illegal. No arrests have been made in the shooting, and the investigation remains active.
THE FEDERAL CASE — MACHINE GUN CONVERSION DEVICES
Months after the shooting, Carter was arrested on federal charges unrelated to the Alabama attack. On November 20th, U.S. Marshals took Carter into custody for possession of a machine gun and six machine-gun conversion switches.
The indictment claims the items were discovered in Ottawa County on July 17 — just five days after the shooting.
One device was reportedly installed on a Glock Model 20, and the others were found in his possession. If convicted, Carter faces:
- Up to 10 years in federal prison
- Up to a $250,000 fine
- Forfeiture of all involved weapons and ammunition
Carter pleaded not guilty and was released on a $10,000 bond. A federal judge ordered him not to possess any firearms while the case proceeds.
THE ATTORNEY’S RESPONSE
Carter’s attorney, Alexander Rusek, has forcefully denied the allegations.
“Mr. Carter denies these allegations in the strongest possible terms.”
“This is a smart young man who has devoted his life to helping others. These charges do not reflect who he is.”
Rusek emphasized that he has not yet seen the full body of evidence, and expects it could take weeks before discovery is complete.
Carter is currently ordered to reside at a halfway house in Grand Rapids while the case moves forward.
THE FOOTBALL ANGLE
Carter had been committed to Davenport University’s football program, but following the charges:
- His player profile was removed from DU’s website.
- The university confirmed he is enrolled in online classes only and is not an active member of the team.
WHERE THE CASE STANDS
The July shooting investigation in Alabama remains unsolved.
The federal machine-gun case in Michigan is only just beginning.
Carter maintains his innocence.
And his family continues to insist the Alabama shooting was a setup meant to kill him.