(Robert Jonathan, Headline USA) A Michigan legal gun owner who foiled an alleged convenience store robbery won’t face any criminal charges after justifiably using his firearm in a self-defense situation, in this instance on behalf of a potential victim, authorities have determined.
With a six-pack in one hand and a gun in the other, the customer opened fire on the alleged would-be thief who, according to police, had threatened the store clerk with a box cutter.
Before making a decision pending an investigation that gathered the evidence, Cass County prosecutor Victor Fitz implied that defending other people in good faith in a dangerous situation is a doctrine recognized under state law.
“In Michigan, obviously, it’s clear that we do have defense of others as part of the law in Michigan, that you can defend others if they’re in a situation where there’s dangerous force being used against them,” Fitz explained during an interview about the case with WOOD TV, Grand Rapids.
“And certainly in this case, we’ll be looking at the facts in regard to that,” he added.
Roughly along the lines of a stand-your-ground law, a Michigan statute appears to allow the use deadly force by someone who is not himself or herself in the process of committing a crime “if the individual honestly and reasonably believes that the use of deadly force is necessary to prevent the imminent death of or imminent great bodily harm to himself or herself or to another individual.”
According to WOOD, the Good Samaritan who reportedly has a valid concealed carry permit and background as a security guard, was unable to see what was in the suspect’s hand, ‘but he could see the look of fear on the clerk’s face.
The customer, who purportedly fired six or seven shots in the encounter that was at least partially captured on a store surveillance camera, held the suspect at gunpoint until cops arrived.
The suspect, 35, who was wounded in the arm, back and face, subsequently received treatment and was released by a local hospital before he was again taken into custody.
The employee behind the counter told WOOD that the customer “saved my life.”
Reportedly considered a habitual offender because of three prior felonies, the suspect faces charges including alleged armed robbery and assault with intent to rob while armed, and is being held subject to a $100,000 bond.
He is due back in court on Thursday. As with all criminal matters, the presumption of innocence applies.
The July 27 incident occurred in Cassopolis, Mich., in the southwest part of the state not far from South Bend, Indiana.
The prosecutor’s office announced its decision on Tuesday.
As a footnote, the hero was carrying a six pack of Miller Lite, not Bud Light.
