Fear & Loading: God Sent Me An Angel

by
posted on February 13, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
gsagi2015_fs.jpg

That’s how the 41-year-old mother in Holland, Mich., describes the man with a concealed-carry permit who intervened while her 29-year-old ex-boyfriend—with a lengthy criminal record—was beating her head on the floor at her job last week.

“God sent me an angel, because I know he would have killed me,” the victim—whose name and photos are being withheld per her request—told Michigan’s WOOD TV. The incident began when he confronted her at the liquor store, and after she started to cry during the 20-minute exchange at least one patron dialed 9-1-1.

The verbal abuse turned physical when she tried to escape before law enforcement arrived. Overpowered, pinned on the floor and being beaten, she finally heard, “Get off of her, leave her alone, stop attacking her,” according to the news report.

The perpetrator lunged for the good Samaritan’s firearm and was shot twice in the chest. He is listed in critical condition at a local hospital and Holland, Mich., police said it believes the hero—who has a concealed-carry permit—acted in self-defense.

The victim and her “angel,” who is a veteran, have talked on the phone. He told her, “The look I saw in that guy’s eyes, I hadn’t seen since I was in Iraq.”

Staff members at the NBC affiliate also deserve praise for honoring the victim’s wishes to remain anonymous. The good Samaritan’s name was also omitted, and whether deliberate or not, it’s probably a good move for his sake. At a time when the words trust and mainstream media are rarely found in the same sentence, much less paragraph, it’s nice to know there are still some good ones out there who understand unnecessarily sensationalizing tragedies like this usually hurts everyone involved, again—including the original victim and a law-abiding citizen decent enough to do the right thing. 

Latest

Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Expedition Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus Expedition

Taurus entered the bolt-action rifle market with its Expedition, a Remington 700-pattern design that's built to be versatile and affordable.

New For 2025: Charter Arms Pathfinder II

Charter Arms updated one of the oldest models in its lineup with the new Pathfinder II, which features a lightweight 7075 aluminum frame, making it more well-balanced and easier to carry.

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.