TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Tampa security guard recalled the moment he was shot on the job on New Year’s Eve.

“Very loud and very forceful,” he said. “It felt like getting hit by a cannonball.”

Porto-Carrero took to Instagram in a hospital gown to recount the moment he was shot near Curtis Hixon Park and send a message to the shooter.

“Swarms and swarms of unaccompanied minors were flying around on dirt bikes and electric scooters and things like that,” he recalled.

Porto-Carrero said he was worried they were causing property damage, so he went over to investigate.

Moments later, he heard what he thought was a firework and suddenly felt a lot of pain.

“Turns out it was a 9mm hollow tip that went in through my arm and lodged through my chest,” he explained.

Tampa police released surveillance footage from right before the shooting.

Detectives believe there may be a connection between the suspect and members of the group seen in the video.

“We actually are working diligently on leads,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said. “If anybody saw anything that day, which is something we put out recently, to share it with us, if there’s video out there of anybody that might be involved, please share it with us.”

Porto-Carrero said he never felt any anger toward the person who shot him, but he does have a message for the shooter.

“Live by the gun, die by the gun bud,” he said. “I’m not mad at you.”

“Life is precious,” he continued. “You shouldn’t go around acting like that.”