Christy Carlson Romano Shares Harrowing Shooting Experience
Christy Carlson Romano hopes to protect her vision following a clay pigeon shooting incident in 2025. Birdshot remains lodged near her eye, threatening blindness. Romano shared her experience with Fox News Digital.
“I was hit with birdshot from 250 feet away,” Romano explained. “It struck beneath my eye and forehead. There’s birdshot a millimeter from critical areas behind my eye. If it shifts, I’d lose my sight. We’re hoping it stays put.”
The former Disney star discusses childhood fame and toxic relationships in her memoir, Once Upon a Trainwreck. She also recounts the shooting incident in Texas.
During the outing, her husband Brendan Rooney celebrated his birthday. Romano stated, “In Texas, such activities are common. My husband, a former Marine, was interested in trying it. Unfortunately, another person in our group acted irresponsibly and shot in my direction.”
Clay pigeon shooting involves shooting clay targets launched into the air with a shotgun. Romano has been married to Rooney since 2013. She wrote about the experience in her memoir, saying she collapsed and feared for her life. “I thought, ‘Am I dead?’ and ‘Oh God, my daughters.'”
The memoir describes her vision blurring as a dark liquid spread across her contacts. Rooney rushed to assist her, along with the remorseful shooter. “I looked up at my husband of over 10 years,” Romano wrote.
“The Texas sky is beautiful,” she described. “It’s a beautiful day to die.” She was lightheaded as Rooney implored her to stay awake.
Romano recalled the drive to the hospital. “We sped down an empty freeway at 112 miles per hour,” she wrote. Her oculoplastic surgeon informed her the birdshot struck the right spot, missing vital eye structures by about a millimeter.
“I have a scar and two birdshot pieces in my head, but I’m alive. That’s what matters,” she shared. Doctors advised against removing the fragments due to potential harm. Romano credits the medical team at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center for their care.
“The experience taught me life is brief, and I need to prioritize what truly matters,” Romano revealed. Her chaotic past led to a deeper reflection and inspired her to pen letters to her daughters in her memoir.
Romano’s recent health concerns prompted her memoir. In February 2026, she shared a positive result from a cancer screening, driven by family history. Both parents had cancer; her mother survived, but her father did not. Rooney’s test was negative. Despite these challenges, Romano remains purpose-driven.
“My life focuses on personal growth,” Romano stated. “My faith has become significant as I seek to understand my purpose. I hope my book helps others feel connected.”