Man defends own life when two robbers attack...then one followed him home

Cleveland media are reporting that a 24 year-old man was able to defend his own life with a firearm when two men approached and attempted to rob him outside a convenience store.

From Cleveland.com:

The 24-year-old man called police and said two men robbed him at the gas station and that he shot one of the robbers, according to police. He told police he left the gas station and that the other suspected robber followed him to his home and stood outside.

Officers arrived and arrested the 20-year-old, according to police. The 24-year-old man was not arrested and is not considered a suspect.

As is often the case in these news media reports, there is much left to wonder about. The article does not say if the 24 year-old was a concealed handgun license-holder, but since he is not being charged, we can safely assume that he was legally in possession of the firearm he used to defend himself.

The article also does not explain why the victim left the scene and went home, but it would appear he may have done so because he was still in danger, as evidenced by the fact that a second attacker followed him home.

According to separate coverage by WOIO (CBS Cleveland), when police got to the gas station, they found Rufus Harris, 19, laying on the parking lot, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Harris' alleged accomplice, who was arrested outside of the 24 year-old's house, is being charged with aggravated robbery and murder.

A complete list of known incidents involving Ohio CHL-holders defending themselves is available here.

Chad D. Baus served as Buckeye Firearms Association Secretary from 2013-2019. He is co-founder of BFA-PAC, and served as its Vice Chairman for 15 years. He is the editor of BuckeyeFirearms.org, which received the Outdoor Writers of Ohio 2013 Supporting Member Award for Best Website, and is also an NRA-certified firearms instructor.