As has often been the case in recent weeks, the incident unfolded in Houston, Texas. Local media reports revealed that there have been at least 103 robberies around this most recent criminal activity just within the last year.
Houston police said the armed and prepared man was driving in the city’s southeast side Saturday evening just after 7 p.m. when he came across a startling event. A man was being pistol-whipped at an ATM outside of a Chase Bank building.
According to authorities, the victim stopped by the bank to withdraw money from the machine when he was confronted by the armed suspect. The would-be robber had been lurking around the corner, but he suddenly emerged and ordered the bank customer to give him money.
Detectives said the victim started to comply but the suspect then pistol-whipped him anyway. Fortunately for the victim and society at large, it was then that the passerby saw the crime at the ATM and made an instant decision to intervene.
The Good Samaritan stopped and approached the violent encounter, firing multiple shots at the attacker. The suspect was struck in the leg and foot and was later taken to the hospital in stable condition, according to police reports.
It is unclear whether the armed robber managed to fire any shots during the citizen intervention, but neither the victim nor the man who intervened were seriously injured in the encounter.
However, while the suspect was being treated for his wounds, police discovered that he was a wanted fugitive for a murder charge in Louisiana. There are currently no details on the specifics of the crime that he is suspected in, but a violent criminal is now safely off the streets.
Houston is no stranger to crime, and recently it has been blessed by the heroic actions of armed citizens who stepped up and defended others.
Just two days before the incident at the Chase Bank ATM, another good guy was going about his daily life when he was suddenly thrust into a frightening public situation.
This time, it was a Valero gas station that was the target of the armed robbers.
Houston police reported just before 9 p.m. Thursday, a car with five people inside pulled up to the convenience store. Four of them emerged wearing masks, with the fifth staying behind the wheel.
They quickly stormed through the door and pulled guns. The would-be robbers demanded that customers and employees hand over money, but what they received was something wildly unexpected. An armed customer sprang into action, firing several shots at the robbers. Three of them were hit by the hail of gunfire, and unfortunately a bystander was also struck in the exchange.
It is a blessing that the innocent customer is expected to fully recover.
Three of the four who entered the gas station for the planned robbery managed to get back to the getaway vehicle. They drove to a local hospital for treatment for gunshot wounds and were greeted warmly by local police. The fourth alleged robber was unable to leave the store due to his injuries, and he was found by law enforcement when they arrived.
Houston is no different from any other major U.S. metropolitan area in 2023. Violent criminals prey on the innocent with no regard for human life or the effects of their attacks on victims. The police are there, of course, but cannot be everywhere at once and all too often are left taking down names and interviewing survivors.
That’s where the good guy with a gun comes in. The mainstream media does not want to spotlight these cases, but more and more Americans choose to be their own first responders. They are not looking for trouble, but they are prepared for whatever comes.
And we are all better off for it.
