Maybe that’s what is meant by “Don’t Mess with Texas.”
Apparently that admonition extends to don’t mess with Texas businesses when armed good guys are customers there.
Houston Police were called to a Circle K convenience store and Valero gas station at 7:55 Thursday evening. What awaited them was startling. There was an armed customer inside the store, which is no surprise considering where it was located. Texans are known as fierce defenders of Second Amendment freedoms going back to the old Republic days.
A car had pulled up to the store, but pumping gas was not what the four young men inside had in mind. Instead, according to Asst. Police Chief Ernest Garcia, they piled out of the vehicle and raced into the lobby to attempt an armed robbery.
The key word here being “attempt.”
That’s because, like so many other instances in Texas and elsewhere, a good guy with a gun — not to mention guts — was there to save the day. The customer quickly saw the dangerous situation unfold as the masked men ran into the store. He then bravely drew his own weapon. Houston police reported afterwards that at least one of the suspects was armed.
In the frantic moments that followed, one of the would-be robbers was so frightened that he ran right out of his shoe in his attempt to escape.
Meanwhile, three of the four young men were struck by the customer’s bullets, and one narrowly escaped the same way he entered. The assailant who was unharmed along with two of the wounded quickly returned to their car and raced to an area hospital for treatment.
The third alleged criminal struck by the hail of gunfire from the store’s valiant defender was immobilized and waiting for law enforcement when they arrived. All three of the males injured in their alleged failed robbery attempt are expected to survive. And hopefully warn others.
HPD reported a bystander was also injured, though it is unclear whether the victim was struck by fire from the customer or one of the suspects. There is no word on their condition.
And since a good story needs a happy ending, the armed citizen went home uninjured.
Employee Nico Lascossio told reporters that during his time working at the store, this was the second robbery attempt. “It’s mainly because of the location. It’s horrible but there’s not much we can do about it, aside from having a police officer out here.”
Location is everything. HPD’s crime map found on their website shows 27 crimes were reported within a mile radius of the Valero gas station in the last month. These included aggravated assault, burglaries, car theft — and now an attempted armed robbery.
No official charges were immediately filed, and it is not known if the customer who defended the business will face any charges. That is highly unlikely considering where the incident occurred. Texas is near the top of the nation for Stand Your Ground rights, and most appreciate the courage of a resident who will defend themselves and others.
The four young men who allegedly attempted to rob this store undoubtedly believed they had strength in numbers. They were going to burst onto the scene, quickly frighten everyone into submission, and make off with cash for the evening.
They did not count on the presence of a good guy with a gun, a customer with situational awareness to be prepared to spring into action. Once again, the Second Amendment came through to thwart the plans of those who would harm innocents, and we are all better off for it.
