The Armed Citizen® Dec. 1, 2023

Armed Citizen® Today

An armed son defended his father outside a Papa John's pizzeria in Lumberton, Texas, on Nov. 15, 2023, killing the suspected assailant in the process. Police are calling it a clear-cut case of self-defense, and no charges have been filed.

"It's pretty much cut and dried," Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins said. "It's a son protecting his dad."

The father and son were outside the pizzeria that evening, preparing to pick up an order, when the dad encountered the 51-year-old assailant. According to workers, the man was angry at the staff and was described as being "possibly intoxicated." After walking out the door, he threw a pizza box at the father, who asked the man what he was doing. The suspect then pulled out a 9 mm handgun from his pocket and pointed it at the dad.

After getting out from the passenger side of a pick-up truck, the son saw the assailant pull out the gun and aim it at his father. He immediately drew his holstered handgun and fired four to six shots. One of the shots struck the 51-year-old suspect in the head, and he died at the scene. The father suffered a minor wound to the wrist from a bullet ricochet. (6KDFM; Lumberton, Texas; 11/15/2023)

From the Armed Citizen® Archives – February 1973

While watching TV in her Las Vegas, Nev., home, 80-year-old Gladys Cunningham heard the glass in her back door shatter. Two men, one masked, were trying to force entry. Getting a gun, she fired a single shot that started the men running. (Las Vegas Review Journal; Las Vegas, Nev.)