In this edition of Guns Save Lives, a Norco, California liquor store owner sent a robbery suspect fleeing with one less functional arm. The suspect entered the store with two good arms and a rifle. But the 80-year-old store owner, armed with a shotgun, shoots the robber, hitting the suspect in the arm, and sends him fleeing. As the suspect exits the store, you can hear him on surveillance video repeatedly screaming, “he shot my arm off!”

80-Year-Old Store Owner Shoots Robber with Shotgun

According to authorities, four male suspects arrived at Norco Market & Liquor at 2:45 a.m. with intent to rob the store. However, the 80-year-old store owner already saw them approach on his security cameras and prepared himself. The suspect is on surveillance video entering the store with an AR-style rifle before the owner turned the tables on him.

A New York Post report states, “The suspect yelled, “Freeze, hands in the air,” but within seconds, the quick-thinking store owner pulled out a shotgun from under the counter and immediately shot once at the robber, hitting him in the arm.”

Immediately following, an outside security camera captured another armed man getting out of a black BMW SUV. The injured suspect then ran out of the store screaming, “He shot my arm off!” while running towards the vehicle. After seeing the mayhem unfold, the suspect exiting the SUV hurries to get back in.

The wounded suspect and another suspect rounded the passenger side, and the injured party entered the rear door. As soon as the man was in the vehicle, it began to speed away, almost leaving the other man behind. The SUV then stops to let the third man in before racing out of the parking lot for good.

A Riverside County Sheriff’s statement says, “With the assistance of another law enforcement agency, the suspects were located at a hospital in the Southern California region, one of whom was suffering from a gunshot wound consistent with a shotgun blast. Three additional suspects were also located at the hospital in the suspect vehicle, which had been previously reported stolen. The vehicle, a dark-colored BMW SUV, was also found to contain numerous stolen firearms.”

Situational Awareness for the Win

Fortunately, the store owner prepared himself for the possibility of a robbery attempt like this. Reports state that his employees say he is “always prepared as far as weapons go.” Likewise, he is smart and heeds the advice of law enforcement.

Local 10 News writes, “’I’m proud to call him my boss. He makes us feel better about being here, you know?’ [employee Marnie] Tapia said. ‘The sheriff came in and warned me about 8 months ago or so that this was going on and to keep an eye out and pay attention, be on your toes.’”

The store owner’s vigilance and preparedness may have saved his life that night. However, the stress of the event was a bit much for the 80-year-old owner. He is currently recovering in the hospital after suffering a heart attack.

According to Fox 11 Los Angeles, “The store owner suffered a heart attack shortly after the incident. He is in the hospital recovering after the health scare, FOX 11’s Gina Silva reports.”

Three of the suspects are in Robert Presley Detention Center for robbery and conspiracy, with the fourth to follow after he gets out of the hospital. But the store owner received credit from the Sheriff’s Department for his actions.

The statement from the Sheriff’s Department says, “In this case, a lawfully armed member of our community prevented a violent crime and ensured their own safety, while being confronted with multiple armed suspects. This investigation is active and ongoing and no additional information will currently be released.”

This is yet another case where a legally armed citizen stopped violent criminals, with stolen firearms, in their tracks. Kudos to this store owner for protecting his life and livelihood.

Psst…guns save lives. Tell your friends.