Armed Robbery Turns Armed Robber Running After Victim Pulls Concealed Firearm

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA — A 10 p.m. meeting to purchase a ring turned into shots fired when the seller was actually being set up for an armed robbery.

It happened late Thursday, and the seller is probably happy that he was carrying his firearm.

A man was meeting with a prospective buyer about 10 p.m. in the parking lot of the casino-hotel, 4111 Boulder Highway, but decided to call off the transaction when several other people showed up, Metropolitan Police Department spokeswoman Laura Meltzer said.

When one of the parties pointed a gun and attempted to rob him, the ring seller told police he pulled out his own gun and fired a shot in self-defense. The robber and several other people fled, but no one was injured, Meltzer said.

Police say the ‘victim’ has a concealed carry permit in the state of Nevada. That’s good, and it’s good that he was carrying as well.

One thing I’ll pick apart is the time and location of the potential sale. It occurred around 10pm, well after dark, and happened in a casino parking lot. While people walk around parking lots to and from vehicles, there are still many things that can go wrong. As a better alternative, consider meeting potential buyers in a coffee shop or similar place. You’ll be inside, with many people close by, and the chances of a robber pulling a fast one will drop dramatically.