A shop owner in South Memphis, Tennessee, courageously defended himself and his customers from an armed assailant, exhibiting a perfect example of self-defense.
According to detectives, at around 3 pm on a Saturday afternoon, 21-year-old Aaron Brown stormed into a shoe-shine business on East McLemore, armed with a semi-automatic weapon. His intentions were initially directed at a driver pulling into the store’s lot when he allegedly attempted a carjacking. He instructed the driver, “Leave it running, I’m taking it,” but allowed the driver to leave unharmed.
However, the chaos didn’t end there. Brown then shifted his focus to the patrons inside the shop. But, unbeknownst to him, the shop owner was prepared to protect himself and the people inside his shop.
Eyewitness Geno Robinson describes the scene, stating that Brown was armed with a weapon akin to a “Draco,” referring to a line of Kalashnikov-pattern, 7.62x39mm pistols.
In a rapid turn of events, the shop owner fought back, firing at Brown. Brown, suffering from an arm injury, staggered out of the store, seeking refuge in a nearby church.
Following the incident, Brown was apprehended and is currently being held on a $20,000 bond. He faces charges of four counts of aggravated assault.
While the outcome was fortunately in favor of the shop owner and his patrons, the event raises questions about the need for proper firearm training. Shots to guns, gun hands, and gun-side arms and shoulders often occur when untrained individuals focus on the weapon rather than on the person wielding it.
In reflecting on the incident, Robinson declared, “We as a people have to get together and police our own neighborhood.” This incident serves as a potent reminder of the responsibilities that come with gun ownership and the crucial role of community vigilance in ensuring safety.
