The Armed Citizen® March 23, 2014

Christy Vasilakos got into a heated argument with her boyfriend early one morning prior to kicking him out just before 6 a.m. He returned soon thereafter, however, and demanded to be let in. He broke several windows and banged on the front door. The fight moved outside to the sidewalk where the couple continued to argue. The noise woke neighbors, including Vickie Rock, who was staying at her boyfriend's apartment upstairs. Rock, 50, went outside and tried to intercede when she saw Vasilako's boyfriend beating her with a metal object. When he turned on her, Rock pulled out her .45-cal. handgun and fired. He staggered away and was later found dead in a nearby parking lot. (Tampa Bay Times, Riverview, Fla., 8/17/13)

A suspicious man, who wore a black hooded sweatshirt pulled over his head to conceal most of his face, entered a convenience store with ill intent. He had already been in the store earlier that day, but left. During his second visit, around 7 p.m., the suspect pulled out a large knife and demanded money from the store's owner, Indar Hooda. Hooda drew a gun, prompting the would-be robber to flee the store. Hooda said, "I'm happy he walked out when he saw the gun. If I didn't take it out, he was going to stab me." No one was injured during the attempted robbery and it was last reported that the suspect was still at large. (The Standard-Times, New Bedford, Mass., 6/5/13)

From The Armed Citizen® Archives

March 1976: Ensil Malone arrived at his St. Marys, W. Va., tavern about 3 a.m. to find two burglars preparing to cart away liquor and stereo equipment. Shots from his .22 rifle sent the looters running off empty-handed. (The Oracle, St. Marys, W. Va.)