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CLARKSVILLE, TN — A Christmas Eve shopping trip turned into a terrifying ordeal for a family inside a Walmart in Clarksville when a 19-year-old man held a gun to a woman’s head and threatened to kill her children before being shot by her partner in defense of his family.
The incident took place on December 24, just before 1 p.m., at the Walmart located at 1680 Fort Campbell Boulevard. According to police, Labron Gibson, 19, confronted a couple with their two young children — ages 4 and 2 — inside the store. During the confrontation, Gibson produced a firearm and placed the gun against the woman’s head, cutting her eye. Gibson reportedly threatened to kill both the woman and the children.
Fearing for his family’s safety, the woman’s partner drew his legally carried firearm and fired multiple shots at Gibson, stopping the threat. In an arrest warrant obtained by Clarksville Now, security footage confirmed the sequence of events, showing Gibson waving his gun, threatening the family, and then being shot by the armed citizen.
Shoppers inside the store reported hearing several gunshots from the grocery section, followed by alarms and panicked customers rushing for the exits. Police responded quickly, and Gibson, though seriously injured, was able to leave the scene and drive himself to Tennova Healthcare. He was later transferred to a hospital in Nashville for further treatment.
Police recovered a firearm from Gibson’s vehicle, and he was subsequently charged with four counts of aggravated assault. Investigators confirmed that the armed citizen acted lawfully in defense of his family.
This incident highlights the importance of being prepared to defend yourself and your loved ones, even in seemingly routine places like a grocery store. The armed citizen’s actions protected his family from immediate danger. However, this also serves as a reminder of the risks involved when responding to an armed aggressor who already has a weapon drawn — a scenario often referred to as “drawing from the drop.” This tactic can be extremely dangerous, as the defender is at a significant disadvantage. In this case, the defender’s quick action and accuracy stopped the threat without any harm to innocent bystanders.
As always, situational awareness and regular training are key to effective self-defense in high-stress situations.
