MANDEVILLE, LOUISIANA — What began as a call to police to help disperse an unruly customer ended with that customer attacking an open carrier coming to the aid of the clerk. According to Mandeville police, the customer was reportedly acting erratic and violent and was asked to leave. An open carrier went to get the customer’s license plate for police and was reportedly attacked by that man — resulting in him being fatally shot by the open carrier.
Via WWLTV 4
“The deceased left but returned throwing what appears to be potato chips at the clerk. The shooter then follows the deceased outside to get his vehicle license plate number for the police. When the deceased saw the shooter getting his plate info, he exited his vehicle and physically attacked the shooter,” said a statement from Mandeville Police.
According to the police report, the open carrier attempted to back off from the subject and retreated back inside the store but was followed and physically attacked. The law abiding gun man retreated further to a corner of the store but the attacks persisted. Left with no other recourse, he drew his firearm and shot the man — fatally injuring him.
“The shooter retreated into a corner of the store while still being attacked. With nowhere left to retreat, the shooter fires one round striking the deceased. The deceased does not stop his attacks and the shooter fires two more rounds, striking the subject, who then falls to the ground,” the police statement concluded.
It is clearly evident that this man was shooting to neutralize the threat — not kill his assailant. This is a textbook case of the proper use of deadly force in a physical altercation.
The shooter was questioned by police but no charges were filed. He was a registered concealed carrier and a firearms instructor — meaning his attacker REALLY picked the wrong guy to physically assault.
The concealed carrier’s identity remained anonymous due to security concerns (as it should be) but it was apparent by witness testimony that every available opportunity was given for his attacker to cease his physical assault and leave.
It’s an unfortunate situation where a man does everything in his power to save a belligerent man’s life only to be forced to use deadly force against the suspect. It’s a situation none of us want to be in and this man definitely handled it within the full spectrum of his rights under the law.
The attacker was pronounced dead at the hospital.