Walmart announced recently that it is closing four prominent Chicago-area locations due to persistent and massive losses attributed to criminal behavior. Other cities are seeing retailers lock up much of their inventory to prevent theft.
One store owner in Albuquerque, New Mexico, had to take it a step further last weekend.
The unidentified man shot and killed a would-be burglar who entered his business overnight and became aggressive when he was ordered to stand down.
The incident happened in a smoke shop located in the city’s international district. Ironically, the new store has yet to be opened to the public but has already been the scene of criminal attempts at gaining entry.
The owner took to sleeping in the shop after multiple break-in attempts. He was awakened at around 3 a.m. by scratching sounds in the wall.
He did not know that a man was attempting to tunnel his way into the shop.
As he watched, about an hour later the intruder was able to gain entry through the wall carrying a large hammer and what appeared to be an ax. The shop owner told authorities that he picked up his gun and told the man to get out.
Instead of leaving as any sane person would, the alleged intruder went after the businessman. It was then that the owner opened fire on the suspect.
He then called the police.
It was hardly the first attempt to break into the business. The owner reported two previous attempts, including one that produced the hole in the wall that he had already boarded up. The space was reportedly just large enough to allow a man to crawl through, and that was the entry point for the unfortunate would-be thief.
The shop owner told investigators that he acted in self-defense and had reason to fear for his life. They apparently agreed as police classified the incident as a justifiable homicide.
The owner told local media that he boarded up the new hole and plans to install more security cameras to protect his business.
The Albuquerque Police Department reported it continues to investigate the fatal encounter, and detectives are working in conjunction with the District Attorney’s office.
The Second Amendment exists for several reasons, and one of those is the ability to defend what we hold most precious. First on the list for most would be their families and loved ones along with protecting themselves and their homes.
But you don’t have to go very far down the list to find a person’s place of business, especially for entrepreneurs pursuing the American dream. The owner was in the process of setting up shop in a location that apparently is a ripe target for violent criminals.
And he cared enough to sleep in the store and defend his slice of the American dream.
Unquestionably this tragic situation is unnerving, but it does not appear the business owner will be deterred. Instead, he plans to solidify his store’s defense and be ready once again for the next attempt to steal what is rightfully his.
It is every law-abiding American’s right to defend their life and property, and that certainly extends to their source of income. Kudos to the local police for recognizing the unfortunate encounter as one that was unavoidable for the businessman, and now he can continue with his plans to open his doors to the public.
Perhaps this will serve as a warning to the next individual who wants to victimize the innocent and destroy another person’s dream. And yet again, the right to keep and bear arms saves the day.
