SAN ANTONIO, TX – A late-night robbery attempt at the Purple Dragon cannabis dispensary on West Hildebrand Ave turned into a shootout, leaving both a security guard and a robber injured. The owner of the dispensary emphasized the necessity of armed security to protect his employees, a decision that proved crucial in this incident.
The robbery occurred around 3 a.m. Saturday when three men, two of them armed, burst into the dispensary. One of the gunmen aimed at the clerk, while the other searched the room for resistance. He found it in a security guard, who quickly responded by pulling his gun and engaging in a shootout with the robber.
The guard successfully neutralized one assailant, who was hit and fell to the ground. However, in the initial exchange of gunfire, the guard was also hit three times. Despite his injuries, he remained alert, lying on a couch, while the injured gunman was on the floor on the opposite side of a wall. The clerk, noticing the gunman still armed, took cover behind the counter.
In a tense moment, as the clerk attempted to call 911, a customer entered, unaware of the situation. The clerk promptly warned the customer to leave for safety. The injured guard, attempting to leave the room, was shot once more by the gunman.
The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) arrived 20 minutes later, securing the suspect without further gunfire. The security guard was hospitalized and is now in stable condition, while the gunman remains in critical condition.
Lopez expressed his hope that this incident would deter future robberies at his establishment. SAPD has appealed for information on the other two suspects involved in the attempted robbery.
This incident highlights the risks involved in armed confrontations, even for trained security personnel. The guard’s quick response likely prevented further harm, but his injuries underscore the inherent dangers. It also brings to light the importance of tactical training, such as using cover and moving strategically, which can significantly reduce the risk of injury or death in such situations.
It’s significant to note that the guard was not ready and had to pull back the slide on his handgun at 54 seconds into the video. That wasted time. He may have been able to get a shot off before the criminal and avoided being wounded. We’ll never know for sure, but in general not having your gun ready by having a round in the chamber can slow your reaction down enough to make a difference.