As reported, a pair of armed robbers came to a Phoenix, AZ liquor store, with one waiting outside while the other entered. A robber, who was armed with a knife, handed the clerk what appears to have been a note demanding money. The clerk pretended to be unable to read the note, at which point the robber walked through the gate that separates the clerk from customers, and pulled out a knife. The clerk then shot the robber in self defense. The robber ran from the store to a friend’s apartment across the street, where he collapsed. Police arrived and transported the robber to a local hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. The store clerk was unharmed.
Here we have yet another case where an armed citizen is able to shoot a violent robber before that robber could kill the citizen or another innocent person. Instead of ending up nearly killed by a robber after complying with demands for money, this clerk will be able to go on with his life. Remember, complying with robbers’ demands is no guarantee that they won’t become violent, and self defense is often the best way for a citizen to stay safe during a robbery. Also note that this self defense gun use took place in a populated area with other businesses nearby – yet not one innocent person was injured. This shouldn’t be surprising, since armed citizens are 5.5 times less likely than the police to shoot the wrong person.