A quick trip to the cellphone store should not be filled with drama, and no one expects to encounter a knife-waving customer threatening everyone within arm’s reach.

However, that’s apparently what startled customers of the Verizon Wireless store in Marble Falls, Texas, faced last week. And the alleged would-be assailant was 80 years old.

Police reported that the suspect, identified as Charles Jones of Kingsland, demanded to be allowed to enter the back of the business. When employees understandably refused, witnesses said that Jones then brandished a knife.

But this is Texas, and at least two of the clients in the business were armed and prepared. They drew their firearms and ordered Jones to put the knife down and get on the floor. 

Witnesses credited their quick action with preventing the volatile situation from getting further out of hand. Local police and sheriff’s deputies rushed to the scene after the 911 call came in.

Marble Falls Police Captain Jimmy Cole noted afterward that it is highly unusual to have someone of such an advanced age involved in a potentially violent incident. He further noted the possibility of a mental health crisis, and that may prove to be the case.

Jones was taken to the Burnet County Jail and faces multiple charges, including two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of terroristic threat against a public servant.

A man waving a knife around a business is nothing to simply brush off, and it is fortunate that two of the customers were armed and ready to prevent further mayhem. There were no injuries reported.

Texas is the wrong state to go waving a knife around and threatening innocent bystanders. A similar incident in a different locale may have had a far different outcome, but the good people were prepared and stepped up with their firearms when needed.

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