An alleged armed robber apparently picked the wrong person to target at an Illinois gas station Tuesday morning when a legally armed concealed carry holder responded by pulling a firearm and shooting the suspect.
The incident unfolded at a Shell gas station near 15100 Harlem Avenue in Orland Park, a suburb southwest of Chicago.
According to Orland Park police, officers were called to the area at approximately 9 a.m. following reports of gunfire.
Investigators said a customer who was legally carrying a firearm was pumping gas when another person, who police said was armed with a weapon, attempted to rob the customer.
The intended victim responded quickly.
Police said the concealed carry holder drew a firearm and opened fire, striking the alleged robber.
Video circulated on social media following the incident and appeared to show the wounded suspect moving away from the scene. Police later said the suspect was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. His condition was not immediately released.
The concealed carry holder remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, according to police.
The incident attracted additional attention after Matt Osbourne, a certified instructor with the United States Concealed Carry Association, reviewed video of the encounter and emphasized the importance of remaining aware of one’s surroundings.
“If you’re going to conceal carry legally and lawfully, you take the training. You make sure you know where you can use your weapon and where you can’t. Make sure you’re not breaking the law but be prepared. Whether it’s at a mall, a movie theater, or a gas station, you may have to react quickly and it appears that this is what happened in this case,” Osbourne said.
His comments highlight an important part of carrying a firearm that sometimes gets lost in the broader debate over guns. Possessing a concealed carry permit does not eliminate the responsibility to understand applicable laws, obtain appropriate training and exercise judgment about when defensive force is legally justified.
In this case, police said the armed customer was confronted during an attempted armed robbery. Authorities have not announced charges against the concealed carry holder, who was described as cooperating with the investigation.
The shooting also illustrates how quickly an alleged robbery can unfold. Pumping gas is about as routine as daily life gets, but police say the customer suddenly found himself confronted by an armed suspect and forced to react within moments.
The investigation will ultimately determine the complete circumstances surrounding the encounter, including precisely what occurred before the shots were fired.
Based on the initial account released by police, however, the person targeted in the alleged robbery was legally armed, the robbery suspect had a weapon, and the intended victim responded by firing his own gun.
The suspect survived long enough to be transported for treatment, while the concealed carry holder stayed behind to speak with police.
For an alleged robber apparently expecting a quick score at a gas station, the morning instead ended with a trip to the hospital and a police investigation.
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