It is very difficult for me to believe that anyone was "Shot 18 times with a .45ACP to little effect" !
I have attended hundreds of GSW's over the past half-century, and just can't imagine that.
Are you sure he just didn't MISS x 18 ?
We see lots of folks struck several times with 9mm PB surviving. Few with a solid hit by .45 survive to reach the E.D.
OTOH, a few years back, I helped care for two Officers shot with a .380, each once in the upper abdomen, who were really torn-up and barely lived.
leVieux
Everybody has experience that teaches them things that they hold to be the "norm". But every once in awhile there is an X-Files type of event.
AFAIK, many depts used to forbid, due to public perception/pressure, their officers using anything other than ball ammo. IMO, it is markedly less effective than modern rounds... from what I have read anyway.
In your experience, did you ever notice a diff in mortality between FMJ and modern bullets such as Hornady's Critical Defense and Critical Duty?
I've also noted that humans come in many varieties, some succumb or are dropped by a .22lr or .380 ball. Others like the BG in the story, seem almost superhuman. A diff in will??? IDK.