One exception to this is when a very powerful temporary cavity intersects with the spine . In this case , the resulting blunt trauma can slam the vertebrae together hard enough to either sever the spinal cord , or damage it enough to knock out , stun , or paralyze the target . For instance , in the shootout between eight FBI agents and two bank robbers in the 1986 FBI Miami shootout , Special Agent Gordon McNeill was struck in the neck by a high-velocity .223 bullet fired by Michael Platt . While the bullet did not directly contact the spine , and the wound incurred was not ultimately fatal , the temporary cavitation was sufficient to render SA McNeill paralyzed for several hours . Temporary cavitation may similarly fracture the femur if it is narrowly missed by a bullet
1986 FBI Miami shootout
1986 FBI Miami shootout
Stopping power