According to local media, witnesses reported to police that an armed man walked into a Taco Bell and tried to hold up the establishment. And in a frightening escalation of an already tense situation, he allegedly fired shots at an employee.
But that employee was not struck by the rounds and surprisingly produced a firearm of his own. The 21-year-old worker fired back, striking the alleged criminal and producing what was later described as “a gunshot wound to his upper body.”
The suspect then fled and was dropped off at Summa Health Akron City Hospital by another man. He is being treated for a non-life-threatening injury to his upper body, according to officers.
The person who drove the wounded suspect to the hospital is now charged with robbery, and police confirmed the 35-year-old man will also face robbery and other charges when he is discharged from the hospital.
Having an armed employee was definitely a turn of events the alleged robber did not anticipate. What this means for the worker is up in the air.
There are several documented cases of employees valiantly defending life and property with legal firearms only to lose their jobs in the aftermath. There is no word on a response from Taco Bell management, but it is fortunate that their worker was both armed and brave enough to confront the violent situation.
After all, police believe the man who ended up being shot walked into the restaurant and began firing his weapon unprovoked. That speaks volumes to the danger of the situation and the courage of the defender.
The hope here is that the worker keeps his job and does not face retaliation for doing the right thing.
