The good guy with a gun — and a six-pack of Miller Lite — will not face charges for coming to the rescue of a store clerk who was being robbed. That’s the word from the prosecutor in Cass County, Michigan.
It was last month when 35-year-old Cordeleus Anthony Martin allegedly decided he had nothing better to do with his time than rob a convenience store/gas station in Cassopolis. Undoubtedly, he anticipated getting away with robbery when he entered the establishment and reportedly proclaimed, “You know why I’m here.”
Investigators say Martin then produced a box cutter. Since he was not a current employee, it is unlikely he merely meant to check the store’s new shipment of merchandise.
However, another guest of the business had dropped in to grab a six-pack for the evening. That person, who remains unidentified, was a licensed concealed carry permit holder and was properly armed.
As the surveillance video that later went viral clearly showed, the brave customer did not even put down his beer when he sprang to the defense of the clerk. The Good Samaritan later told investigators that he did not see the weapon allegedly wielded by Martin, but he did see the fear on the face of the employee.
And that was enough.
The armed customer promptly fired six shots, striking Martin three times. Fortunately for him, the would-be robber survived his near-fatal mistake after being treated at a local hospital.
Unfortunately for Martin, he now faces charges of armed robbery, assault with the intent to rob, felonious assault and being a habitual offender.
The prosecutor’s office did the right thing and announced that no charges against the armed citizen are forthcoming. “Accordingly, no charges will be pursued by this Office regarding the lawful actions of the patron in defense of the clerk and himself during the robbery of the Cassopolis Marathon station.”
Nothing beats a happy ending.
