Some are familiar with work of John Lott, PhD. He has provided a compilation of 14 instances in 2022 where a concealed carry permit holder intervened to stop an mass shooting attack. Below are the 14 instances in 2022 instances he's posted on his site. https://crimeresearch.org/2023/02/uber-driver-in-chicago-stops-mass-public-shooting/ This information can provide citeable examples beyond the single anecdote level when dealing with questions of whether carrying a handgun for defensive purposes is worthwhile.
UPDATED: Compiling Cases where concealed handgun permit holders have stopped likely mass public shootings
Feb 8, 2023 | Defensive Gun Use, Original Research
Concealed Handguns Stopped Mass Public Shooting CPRC original research Defensive Gun Use Defensive Gun Use Chicago mass public shootings
This is a revised, updated version of a post originally written on April 21, 2015. We have most seriously updated this list starting at the beginning of 2020.
UCLA Law Professor Eugene Volokh wrote in the Washington Post on April 20, 2015: “Have civilians with permitted concealed handguns stopped such mass shootings before?” We provided Volokh with a list of such cases, which he used.
Below, we have collected news stories on more cases of permit holders stopping mass public shootings with their handguns (we separately collect cases where concealed handguns are used to stop other crimes). There is no reason to believe this list is comprehensive, given how little media coverage is devoted to these heroic acts. In addition, we do not attempt here to list the vast number of defensive gun uses in general that are reported daily in the US.
Permit holders stopped some mass public shootings that gained extensive news coverage, but only a few stories mentioned that a permit holder stopped the attack. The stories frequently get other facts wrong.
A note: Gun control advocates raise the concern that concealed handgun permit holders who stop an attack might accidentally shoot a bystander. They are also fearful that the police might accidentally kill the permit holder. While such incidents are a possibility, they have yet to occur. We probably do not have all the cases where a permit holder stopped a mass public shooting, but if a permit holder were to shoot a bystander, it seems clear that such an event would get news coverage.
[This post has been updated. Cases have only been systematically collected since 2015. Because of the lack of news stories accompanying these cases, we believe we have found a much greater percentage of the cases since 2015 than earlier. But even then, we believe we have a more complete list from 2020.]
El Paso, Texas, Wednesday, February 15, 2023
A permit holder stopped a shooter who had shot four people and threatened others. Interestingly, many initial news reports had credited an off-duty police officer with stopping the attack (also here). The suspect apparently had a stolen gun.
Police in El Paso, Texas say that a “licensed-to-carry” bystander shot the alleged gunman who is accused of killing one person and injuring another three.
The suspect, a 16-year-old Hispanic male, is accused of shooting the individuals after a “confrontation ensued” between two groups at Cielo Vista Mall on Wednesday evening at 5:05 p.m.
The El Paso Police Department said the confrontation eventually escalated into a “physical fight,” and the 16-year-old pulled out a handgun, fatally shooting Angeles Zaragoza, 17, and injuring another 17-year-old and 15-year-old.
Police say that Emanuel Duran, 32, who is a licensed-to-carry holder, shot the suspect as he was pointing his gun toward the direction of more bystanders.
“As soon as the shooting ended, the 16-year-old suspect began to run and was pointing the gun towards the direction of bystanders, including 32-year-old Emanuel Duran, a Licensed to Carry Holder. As the suspect ran towards Duran and bystanders, Duran drew his handgun and shot the suspect,” Duran said. . . .
Adam Sabes, “Texas ‘licensed-to-carry’ bystander shot El Paso mall shooter as he targeted more would-be victims: police,” Fox News, February 17, 2023.
Phoenix, Arizona, Saturday, February 11, 2023
Fortunately, there was a man at this restaurant who was able to quickly stop this attack: “We don’t know what Luna’s motive was, but were it not for the presence of the armed citizen his attack could easily have resulted in multiple injuries and fatalities.“
. . . Detectives who took over the investigation reported that the man who was killed had entered the restaurant with a gun and fired a number of rounds inside the building.
“The man detained and questioned by police was inside the restaurant during this incident and had shot the individual ending this confrontation,” Bower said.
The detained man declared it was self-defense and many witnesses supported his statement, police said. . . .
Andrea Morabito, “Man claims self-defense in fatal shooting at Phoenix restaurant, police say,”:” Arizona Central, February 12, 2023.
Tucson, Arizona, December 18, 2022
The incident started when the suspect was kicked out of the bar because of his disruptive and threatening behavior. He returned shortly after with a rifle and fired a shot into the ceiling. The suspect was shot three times by an armed patron at the bar after he was repeatedly told to put the rifle down but refused. The owner of a local bar credited the armed citizen with protecting the lives of other customers and employees. Multiple media outlets initially reported the shooting as a “bar fight.”
A shooting at a bar on Tucson’s west side Sunday was initially reported by multiple media outlets as a “bar fight”, but Famous Sam’s owner Mark Rhude said it was a much different situation that could have been more serious.
Speaking exclusively with News 4 Tucson, Rhude said it was an active shooter situation stopped short by a heroic customer with a gun.
Rhude wasn’t at work at the time but based on his staff’s account of what happened he said a man at the bar began hurling racial slurs and talking about violence…
Staff was able to get the man to leave but about an hour or so later, just after 6 p.m. on Sunday, the man returned with a rifle and fired a shot into the ceiling…
But then two customers stepped in to try and convince him to drop the weapon. One of those customers was armed with a gun of their own.
“He [the customer] then said drop your gun to the bad guy three times and bad guy wouldn’t and he leveled it right at the guy and our customer here, he shot him, apparently three times,” Rhude said…
Rhude doesn’t encourage people to bring guns into his business but said he’s thankful the customer was there.
“He was a hero and I appreciate what he did because he saved you know other customers and our employees, so yeah unfortunate situation but he did good,” Rhude explained.
Chorus Nylander, “Tucson bar owner says shooting was self-defense against armed man,” KVOA, December 19, 2022.
Chandler, Arizona, December 14, 2022
This attack was stopped at the Amazon warehouse parking lot.
An armed Arizona man is being credited as a “good Samaritan” by police after he shot an active shooter in an Amazon facility parking lot, likely preventing further bloodshed.
Police in Chandler, Arizona, say that 29-year-old Jacob Murphy pulled into the employee parking lot of an Amazon facility on Wednesday morning and opened fire after jumping out of his car,” KSAZ-TV reported. . . . .
An armed Amazon worker on the scene saw what was unfolding, and police say he pulled out his gun and fired at Murphy, wounding him.
“He did come to the aid of an individual who was shot by a suspect. So, in that case, I would say he is a good Samaritan,” Sgt. Jason McClimans said in a press conference.
According to a statement from police released on Friday, Murphy was found dead in the parking lot when they arrived at the scene, and the investigation has concluded that he died from both the gunshot wound from the armed employee and a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police say the shooting victim who Murphy first fired on “is still recovering and will survive.”
“As previously released, the Chandler Police Department is not investigating the third male, who came to the victim’s aid, as a suspect,” the police department said in a statement. . . .
Andrew Mark Miller, “Armed Amazon employee stops shooter who opened fire at Arizona facility: ‘good Samaritan’,” Fox News, December 17, 2022.
Billings, Montana, November 30, 2022
An unruly 35-year-old customer was reportedly arguing with staff over missing food at the Montana Club and began yelling and threatening others near the restaurant entrance. When the suspect was escorted out, he retrieved a handgun from a vehicle and threatened to shoot. At that point, another armed customer outside the restaurant fired the bullet that struck the 35-year-old in the chest.
A man was shot at the Montana Club after an altercation outside the restaurant at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday…
An employee told police Brusard allegedly ordered some food to go and became irate when he thought some of the food he ordered was missing. He yelled at staff and customers, court documents said, before going to his car to grab bags of food. On his way back into the restaurant, court documents said, he pushed a door into a woman and another argument began between the two. Another customer intervened, and Brusard again went back to his car…
Police spoke with the intervening customer, who told officers he saw Brusard screaming at a woman near the front door of the Montana Club. When the customer stepped behind the woman, according to charging documents, Brusard said he was going to get his gun. The customer watched Brusard go to his car and tuck what looked like a handgun into his waistband.
When Brusard came back into the restaurant, the customer struck him twice before Brusard allegedly pulled out the handgun and pointed it at him. The customer later told police he estimated there was only three feet between himself and Brusard, court documents said. The customer heard a gunshot, then realized it was Brusard who was shot. The customer credited the man who shot Brusard with saving his life.
Investigators found a firearm discarded in the bushes near Montana Club, and soon after identified the 64-year-old man who shot Brusard. The shooter is currently not facing any criminal charges, BPD Lt. Matt Lennick told the Gazette in an email Tuesday, but the investigation into the shooting is still ongoing. Any future charges will be determined by the Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office once the investigation is complete…
Paul Hamby, “Billings man charged with a felony after being shot at Montana Club,” Billings Gazette, December 7, 2022.
Detroit, Michigan, August 28, 2022
The apparently random shootings all occurred on the west side of Detroit in the span of 2 hours and 25 minutes Sunday morning. A 19-year-old gunman killed three people and injured a man and his dog. When an armed bystander saw the fourth shooting, he intervened and stopped the spree killer by drawing his own gun and firing at the gunman until he fled. The sole survivor of the rampage, a 76-year-old man, said the armed bystander saved his life.
A young man suspected of randomly killing three people on Detroit streets fled when an armed bystander saw him shoot a fourth person and responded with his own gunfire, witnesses told a TV station…
Three people were killed over roughly two hours early Sunday…
The suspect shot a fourth person, an 80-year-old man who was walking his dog, according to police. He survived.
Kaia Maxey-Gholson told the TV station that she witnessed another man fire shots in an attempt to stop the suspect.
She said she believes the suspect would have kept shooting the elderly man “like he did the other victims that morning.” …
WXYZ didn’t identify the man who intervened but quoted him as saying the suspect “saw my weapon and he went from predator to prey.” …
AP News Staff, “Witnesses: Armed bystander prevented 4th Detroit death,” AP News, September 1, 2022.
West Palm Beach, Florida, August 7, 2022
A concealed carry permit holder fatally shot a 22-year-old man who brandished a short-barreled shotgun from his car at a family gathering and threatened to fire into the crowd. Police said the suspect refused to drop the weapon after multiple people confronted him. That’s when the permit holder fired his weapon, hitting the armed suspect.
. . . According to officers, a 911 call came in saying someone had been shot, the caller also said he shot the person who took a short-barreled shotgun out of a car, threatening to “shoot the crowd up”.
After an investigation, detectives say a fight broke out between two women, which turned into a brawl of around 20 people. The suspected gunman was 22 years old and from West Palm Beach, but the name and gender have not been released.
The police department says the 22-year-old refused to drop the weapon after multiple people confronted the suspect.
That’s when a 32-year-old man fired his weapon, hitting the armed suspect. The man had a concealed weapon license and remained on the scene with police to cooperate with the investigation. . . .
No charges are pending at this time. . . .
Skyler Shepard, “Bystander shoots, kills person who threatened to ‘shoot the crowd up’,” ABC News Channel 33 (Birmingham, Alabama), August 9th, 2022.
Greenwood, Indiana, July 17, 2022
The attacker was heavily armed and had already murdered three people and wounded three others when a 22-year-old man legally carrying the gun fatally shot him. About 20 shots were fired. It seems extremely likely that more would have been murdered.
Three people are dead and 3 more are injured after a shooting Sunday at the Greenwood Park Mall. The shooting suspect, who police believe acted alone, was killed soon after by an armed citizen at the mall, police said.
The Greenwood Police Department confirmed Sunday that a lone shooter, believed to be an adult male, entered the food court of the mall around 6 p.m. with a rifle and several magazines of ammo. The suspect then shot into the mall, killing three people and injuring three more.
GPD also confirmed Sunday that the shooter was shot and killed by a Good Samaritan who was armed with a handgun. The man who shot the suspect, identified as a 22-year-old from Bartholomew County, had a legal gun permit and is fully cooperating with police.
The suspect was described by police as an adult male armed with a rifle and multiple magazines. No identification or motivation has been released. . . .
Joe Schroeder, “3 dead, 3 injured in shooting at Greenwood Park Mall, suspect killed by armed citizen,” Fox 59 (Indianapolis), July 17, 2022. See also WTHR staff, “4 dead, 2 wounded in shooting at Greenwood Park Mall; police said ‘good Samaritan’ shot and killed shooter,” WTHR Channel 13 NBC, July 17, 2022.
Sunrise, Arizona, July 3, 2022
Two people were murdered and several others were injured by an attack at a large family gathering in Sunrise, Arizona. Raul Mendez, a concealed handgun permit holder who was carrying his concealed handgun at the time of the attack, was able to fatally shoot the attacker, a neighbor, after Mendez had been shot in the head. The above video uses the research that we did at the CPRC, though they don’t credit us for that work.
An Arizona man who was shot in the head while attending a Fourth of July party with his family this summer is speaking out about how he was able to thwart the shooter from killing more people with his concealed carry firearm.
“My back was turned. I heard the first gunshot and that’s what made me, kind of turn my head … But by the time I even was able to look and see what was going on, a bullet already had struck the side of my face,” Raul Mendez recounted to Fox News Digital in a phone interview Tuesday.
Gunshots rang out at a home in Surprise, Arizona, on the evening of July 3 as Mendez, his two daughters and his seven-month pregnant wife gathered with friends and other families to celebrate the founding of America. About 30 people were gathered in the home, including young children, as the group celebrated with fireworks and food . . .
As Hunt continued his alleged rampage, two other women began fighting back against the suspect and screamed for Mendez, knowing he had a concealed carry weapon, Mendez said.
“By the glory of God or the adrenaline and just everything, just the will to live and the will to protect my family, I was able to hear those pleas, those yells for help. I heard my name. And I was able to get up,” he said.
He was able to pull out his firearm and shoot the suspect four times in the chest.
Emma Colton, “Arizona man shot in the head at family party credits his concealed carry for saving lives: ‘would have died’,” Fox News, September 7, 2022.
Charleston, West Virginia, May 25, 2022
Here a man with “an extensive criminal history” started firing an “AR-15 style firearm” into a crowd. Fortunately, a woman who was legally carrying a gun was there to stop the attack.
Police said a woman who was lawfully carrying a pistol shot and killed a man who began shooting at a crowd of people Wednesday night in Charleston.
Dennis Butler was killed after allegedly shooting at dozens of people attending a graduation party Wednesday near the Vista View Apartment complex. No injuries were reported from those at the party.
Investigators said Butler was warned about speeding in the area with children present before he left. He later returned with an AR-15-style firearm and began firing into the crowd before he was shot and killed.
“Instead of running from the threat, she engaged with the threat and saved several lives last night,” Charleston Police Department Chief of Detectives Tony Hazelett said. . . .
Butler did have an extensive criminal history.
Hazelett said no charges will be filed against the woman.
Staff Reports, “Police: Woman with pistol killed man who shot at crowd of people in Charleston,” WCHS Charleston/Huntington, May 26, 7:07 AM.
From WXIN.com: “While police are crediting an Indiana man with shooting and killing a suspect in the Greenwood Park Mall shooting Sunday, mall policy prohibited him from carrying at all. . . . ‘The real hero of the day was the citizen that was lawfully carrying a firearm in the food court and was able to stop the shooter almost as soon as he began,’ [Greenwood Police Chief James] Ison said.”
“Someone we are calling the ‘Good Samaritan’ was able to shoot the assailant and stop further bloodshed. This person saved lives tonight. On behalf of the City of Greenwood, I am grateful for his quick action and heroism in this situation.” GREENWOOD MAYOR MARK MYERS
Atlanta, Georgia, April 30, 2022
The group of women, including three sisters, were celebrating a birthday at a Cleveland Avenue apartment complex when a neighbor started yelling at them, claiming they disrespected his sister. The suspect then pulled out a gun and started shooting. Four women are injured. One of the victims grabbed her gun and shot the man to death.
Atlanta police said the shooting happened after a fight started at an apartment complex on Cleveland Ave. Saturday night.
Three sisters along with a handful of other family members were celebrating the birthday of one of those sisters when they said a man living in the apartment complex came charging out…
Channel 2′s Tom Regan spoke to a woman who was a part of the celebration and was not shot. She said the man started accusing the group of disrespecting his sister, someone they didn’t even know. They said that is when 22-year-old Delano Wells Jr. started fighting with them.
“When we fell on the ground, he got up and got his gun and he shot me in the legs,” said another family member. “After than he just started shooting everywhere. Bullets were flying everywhere, everyone was running and falling. it was terrible. Then I found my gun on the ground and I shot back, and I killed him. It wasn’t my intention but I had to protect my family”.
By the time the shooting stopped, three sisters and one of their niece’s had been shot. Wells was dead at the scene. The entire family was thankful for the one family member able to shoot back…
The woman who fired the fateful shots said police told her she will not face charges.
WSBTV.com News Staff, “3 sisters shot celebrating birthday, woman hit 8 times survives,” WSBTV.com, May 3, 2022.
South Fulton, Georgia, April 24, 2022
A teenager started firing his gun at multiple people. There was a large number of people present at the park because of an anti-violence riot.
South Fulton, Georgia: . . . Meadows said the men involved in the shootout with Hambrick have been cooperative and will likely not be charged since the teenager fired the first shot.
“After having reviewed most of the witnesses statements, it appears that the decedent Mr. Hambrick discharged his weapon first, and as a result of that there was an exchange of gunfire between him and two individuals,” he said. . . .
Fox 5 Atlanta Digital Team, “Charges not likely in shootout that killed teen near ‘Stop the Violence’ rally, police say,” Fox 5 Atlanta, May 3, 2022.
Phenix City, Alabama, April 13, 2022
Two suspects went to the truck shop over a dispute from earlier in the day. One got out of his vehicle and begin to shoot at four people standing outside the business. One of the intended victims with a concealed handgun permit had his own firearm and returned fire, striking both suspects. The business owner Paul Thrasher said “if there would not have been returned fire, he would have advanced on us we would have had a fatality. Thank God for my employees.”
A Phenix City business owner believes the military training of one of his employees helped him survive a shootout at his business.
A business owner Paul Thrasher said an argument sparked when two customers refused to pay their bill.
Warrants have been signed for the arrest of both Andrew McDaniel and Justin Lott for attempted murder…
Thrasher said the men left the store in a white car to get the money, but when they arrived, Thrasher said McDaniel started to fight. Officers arrested McDaniel and charged him with disorderly conduct…
Later, Thrasher said he and three employees were standing outside the business when he recognized the white car from earlier that day.
“The driver got out of the car leaned across the top of the car with a pistol and I hollered “He’s got a gun” At that point of time the father was shooting from inside the car and the son was shooting across the car at us.”…
“If there would not have been returned fire, he would have advanced on us we would have had a fatality. Thank God for my employees.”…
After the shootout, no one works there alone now, he said, though he and his workers all have guns they are licensed to carry concealed…
Reagan Ranzer, “Customer’s refusal to pay bill leads to shooting at Phenix City business,” WTVM, April 15, 2022.
Tim Chitwood, “‘Completely senseless.’ Phenix City truck shop owner recalls shootout that wounded two,” Ledger-Enquirer, April 20, 2022.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 19, 2022
The suspect got out of a car stopped in the middle of the street and began shooting at a house party with around 100 people inside, mostly temple students. The 30-year-old male homeowner was hit in the stomach and a 19-year-old woman was shot in the foot. Investigators say the suspect had been upset about a car accident earlier in the night. A gun permit holder at the scene fired back.
A gunman wounded two people after pulling out a gun and firing at a house party which was being attended by both students and community members near Temple University, police said.
The wounded included a 19-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man, the latter of which organized the party of around 100 people at a rowhome on the 1800 block of Diamond Street in North Philadelphia, just a few blocks from the university’s campus, Philadelphia Police Department Capt. John Walker said…
Police initially said the female victim was 21 and that the gunman used an AK-47 rifle, but they later updated the woman’s age and said the shooter used a handgun.
The gunman fired around 13 shots, striking other homes nearby, Walker said. He added that the bullets didn’t appear to have pierced the home where the party was taking place…
A man at the scene with a gun permit fired back at least two shots, the police captain said, noting that the second man was being investigated.
The shooting, which happened around 1:50 a.m. Saturday, may have stemmed from some sort of car accident, Walker said, though he did not elaborate…
Rudy Chinchilla, “2 Hurt as Gunman Fires at House Party Near Temple U., Police Say,” NBC Philadelphia, March 19, 2022.
Portland, Oregon, February 19, 2022
A homeowner allegedly confronted participants at a racial justice demonstration Saturday night before pulling out a handgun and shooting multiple people in the crowd, leaving one woman dead and several others injured. The shooting ended when a person with the group of demonstrators, who is licensed to conceal carry a firearm, fired back, striking the homeowner in the hip.
The suspect in a weekend shooting that left one woman dead and four people wounded during a protest in Portland, Oregon, faces several charges, including murder, prosecutors said Tuesday.
The shooting unfolded Saturday night after Benjamin Smith, described by police as an homeowner, allegedly confronted a group of demonstrators who were protesting the killing of Amir Locke by Minneapolis police, authorities said…
“Several participants asked Smith to leave them alone. Moments later, Smith drew a firearm and fired at the crowd, striking five people,” the DA’s office said in the news release…
The shooting ended when a person with the group of demonstrators shot Smith in the “hip area,” critically wounding him. Law enforcement originally detained that person on charges of first degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon, both felonies. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office ultimately decided to bring “no complaint” against the person “based upon our review of facts and evidence.”
OPB has chosen not to name the person because they have not been charged with a crime, and they did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Court records show the person is licensed to conceal carry a firearm…
Conrad Wilson and Ryan Haas, “Multnomah County prosecutor charges suspected park shooter with murder,” Oregon Public Broadcasting, February 22, 2022.
Jennifer Henderson and Michelle Watson, “Suspect in deadly shooting during weekend protest in Portland faces several charges, including murder,” CNN, February 23, 2022.
