Police: Gwinnett robbery victim shoots assailants, kills one
A robbery victim turned the tables on his assailants late Monday night, shooting and killing an alleged robber during a home invasion at an apartment complex in Gwinnett County, police said. Two of the dead man’s alleged accomplices are in custody facing murder charges.
The robbery happened just before midnight at the Valencia Apartments on Springs Lane near Peachtree Corners.
Gwinnett police Cpl. Michele Pihera said the victim told officers he retrieved his gun after seeing several men walking across his back patio.
The suspects later knocked on his front door, and when he answered the door, they asked him to step outside, according to Pihera.
“When the victim said that he was not interested in stepping outside, that’s when the suspects forced their way inside the home,” she told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “One of them was wearing a mask and one was armed with a bat. Inside the home was the victim’s family, a female and a small infant.”
Pihera said as soon as the suspects entered the apartment, “the victim used his firearm and discharged at least two rounds.”
One of the suspects was shot in the chest, and later died at North Fulton Medical Center. Investigators weren’t sure how he got to the hospital, Pihera said.
A second suspect, later identified as 32-year-old John Michael Bush was shot in the arm, and was arrested after showing up at Gwinnett Medical Center in Duluth for treatment, Pihera said.
Another man, 33-year-old Saveion Wylie Bush, also arrived at the hospital and was arrested.
Pihera said as soon as the suspects entered the apartment, “the victim used his firearm and discharged at least two rounds.”This robbery victim did exactly what he had to do. He protected his woman and newborn child against three attackers with the best option available: his household firearm. Details have yet to emerge about the altercation within the home, but I’d bet our victim went for his gun the moment the intruders came through the front door.
He killed one in the scuffle-it’s too bad the other two didn’t share a similar fate. Although his bullets may not have hit their intended mark, it’s good to know he sent all three to the hospital. Three against one is never a fair fight, but this story proves that the use of a gun can level the playing field for an innocent victim.
If this homeowner had been without a defensive firearm, the three felons could have controlled the whole situation that night. Blood would have been spilled. Innocent blood.
All it takes is one unlocked door or an open window, perhaps, to attract a burglar into your home. One lapse of judgement could be the difference between life and death, but to have a defensive firearm at arms reach will do nothing but benefit you any your family in these situations.
