PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The man accused of shooting a Philadelphia school safety officer 11 times appeared in court as the officer shared his harrowing story of survival for the first time.

"I don't know why I'm still alive," said Officer Craig Romanczuk , a School District of Philadelphia safety officer.

The 68-year-old's story of survival is so amazing, even he has a hard time understanding how he "made it."

"When I got shot, I was thinking, 'I'm going to die,'" he said.

READ MORE | Philadelphia school safety officer heads home after surviving being shot 11 times

Officer Romanczuk spoke with a soft voice during his interview at the School District of Philadelphia's office in Spring Garden. It's a result of one of his vocal cords being paralyzed when a bullet pierced his neck.

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