Cold Case Files: "I SURVIVED: I Immediately Grabbed the Barrel of His Gun"

Host: Paula Barros
Release Date: April 26, 2025
Platform: A&E / PodcastOne

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Cold Case Files, Paula Barros delves into harrowing survival stories where individuals faced imminent death yet managed to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. The episode features three intense accounts of survival against violent attacks, life-threatening accidents, and desperate circumstances. Through detailed narratives and poignant quotes, listeners gain insight into the resilience and courage of these survivors.

1. Alga's Ordeal: Kidnapping and Survival

Timestamp Highlights:

• [02:20] Alga Pinson recounts her terrifying experience of being kidnapped by Randall "Mitch" Mitchell.
• [03:42] Mitch confronts Alga, swiftly escalating the situation from a pleasant handyman to a life-threatening assailant.
• [07:54] Alga describes being confined in her car's trunk for 11 hours as freezing temperatures set in.
• [11:04] Mitch abandons Alga in the trunk, leaving her for dead.
• [12:06] Rescuers locate Alga after 20 hours, leading to her miraculous survival.
• [13:42] Mitch is arrested and sentenced to 55 years in prison but dies of a heart attack in 2008.
• [14:14] Alga emphasizes forgiveness and faith as her sources of strength during her ordeal.

Notable Quotes:

• Alga Pinson ([04:36]): "I had no strength to run from him or get away from him. It's a bad situation."
• Alga Pinson ([30:11]): "I survived because somebody else wanted me to survive. There had to be a higher power."

Key Points: Alga Pinson, working at her church in Altus, Oklahoma, became the victim of Randall Mitchell, who first stole money from her office and later kidnapped her. Alga endured physical assaults, including being slashed with a knife, while confined in her car's trunk amidst freezing temperatures. Her unwavering faith and ability to remain calm under pressure played crucial roles in her survival. Mitch's conviction and eventual death in prison closed this harrowing chapter, leaving Alga with enduring resilience and a message of forgiveness.

2. Blaine's Mine Disaster: Surviving the Flood

Timestamp Highlights:

• [16:24] Blaine recounts the catastrophic flooding caused by an accidental breach into an abandoned mine.
• [19:28] The trapped miners, including Blaine and his father-in-law, struggle to escape as water levels rise.
• [21:35] With dwindling oxygen and increasing despair, the miners start writing farewell letters.
• [22:30] Rescuers begin breaking through to locate the trapped miners after 48 hours.
• [27:09] After 73 hours, a rescue team successfully locates and retrieves Blaine and his fellow miners.
• [30:07] Blaine credits his survival to both divine intervention and the timely rescue efforts.

Notable Quotes:

• Blaine ([18:53]): "We knew we had to get out right away, that this mine's going to fill up with water quick."
• Blaine ([30:11]): "I survived because somebody else wanted me to survive. There had to be a higher power."

Key Points: In January 2002, Blaine and his colleagues at the Kew Creek Mine in Pennsylvania faced a devastating flood after accidentally drilling into an old, water-filled mine. Trapped 250 feet underground with rising water levels, the miners grappled with limited oxygen and the impending doom of drowning. Despite the dire circumstances, community and rescue efforts persevered. After three days underground, a breakthrough in rescue operations led to Blaine's salvation. The experience underscored themes of teamwork, hope, and the belief in a higher power guiding their survival.

3. Linkoya's Home Invasion: Defending Against Attackers

Timestamp Highlights:

• [33:00] Linkoya arrives home to find his roommates' cars missing and senses something is amiss.
• [34:28] Two masked men armed with guns invade Linkoya's home, escalating the situation to a life-or-death confrontation.
• [36:51] Faced with imminent threat, Linkoya engages in a desperate struggle, resulting in him shooting one of the attackers.
• [40:21] Linkoya reflects on the traumatic aftermath of defending himself and the profound emotional impact of taking a life in self-defense.
• [41:02] He credits his survival to being armed and maintaining his composure during the invasion.

Notable Quotes:

• Linkoya ([36:51]): "I heard a loud bang. I knew that I was hit. I knew that it was close range, and I knew that it wasn't good."
• Linkoya ([41:02]): "I survived because I had a firearm with me that night. If I didn't have that gun that night, I wouldn't be alive right now."

Key Points: In June 2009, Linkoya, a 25-year-old student in Nashville, Tennessee, returned home to a disturbing scene: his roommates were absent, and an unsettling feeling prompted him to arm himself. When two armed intruders forced their way into his home, Linkoya found himself in a life-threatening situation. Despite sustaining a severe gunshot wound, he managed to defend himself by using his firearm, resulting in the fatal shooting of one attacker. The incident left Linkoya grappling with the emotional repercussions of self-defense, yet he remains steadfast in his belief that his preparedness saved his life and his roommate's.

Conclusion

"I SURVIVED: I Immediately Grabbed the Barrel of His Gun" serves as a testament to human resilience and the will to survive against all odds. Through the powerful stories of Alga, Blaine, and Linkoya, Paula Barros highlights the pivotal moments where quick thinking, faith, and sheer determination can make the difference between life and death. These narratives not only shed light on the darkest moments of their lives but also inspire listeners with lessons of forgiveness, hope, and the enduring spirit of survival.

Note: This episode contains disturbing content that may be unsettling for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.