Armed Robber Shot at Gas Pump Trying to Rob Armed Citizen

When a crook with a gun reportedly tried to rob a man at a gas pump in Martinsville, Virgina, he learned the hard way that not everyone is a sheep. His intended victim was armed, and responded to the threat as any wolf would: he fought back. That is, he drew his own firearm in self-defense. Shots were fired — I have not seen any report as to who shot first — and the crook caught some lead.

The bad guy had an underage accomplice who also fired at the victim. Neither the juvenile nor the good guy were injured.

Apparently the bad guy’s injuries were not life-threatening, as he was hospitalized and charged with armed robbery, shooting into an occupied vehicle, shooting into an occupied building, use of a firearm in committing a felony, reckless handling of a firearm, felony damaging property, and discharging a firearm in public.

His young buddy later surrendered to police to face warrants for “attempted robbery, shooting into an occupied vehicle, use of a firearm in committing a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possess firearm under age, and conspiracy to commit a felony” and went straight to juvey.

Thank goodness the intended victim here was armed and able to defend himself.

Watch yourselves at gas pumps, folks. Many times, we get distracted or simply fail to pay attention to our surroundings. Maintain situational awareness and always lock your doors when you’re sitting inside your vehicle in a public place. The delay caused by an assailant being unable to yank open your door might give you the precious seconds you need to pull your gun and save your life.

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.