A deadly confrontation unfolded Sunday night on Santa Monica’s popular Third Street Promenade, highlighting the intense challenges store owners face amid strict California gun laws.
According to KCAL News, the incident occurred after hours when a sneaker shop owner arranged a private shopping session. Minutes into the appointment, an accomplice forced his way through a back entrance and assaulted the store owner with a chemical irritant. Amid the struggle, the owner drew his legally owned firearm and shot the intruder, fatally wounding him.
“He took care of things and defended himself and his store, his family, by using his gun,” said John Alle, who owns the building where the incident occurred. Alle noted that the store owner was understandably shaken but unharmed.
Santa Monica police responded swiftly, arriving within two minutes of the 911 call, but the intruder succumbed to his injuries. Authorities arrested the individual who initially arranged the private shopping session, suspecting he was complicit in the botched robbery.
Local police emphasize the isolated nature of this incident, stating that although aggravated assaults have decreased, robberies targeting businesses have risen. Yet, Alle believes crime figures don’t fully capture the reality local businesses face.
“A lot of retailers are giving up,” Alle explained. “If they report crimes and theft, they’ll lose their insurance.”
California and Los Angeles County have some of the nation’s strictest gun laws, historically making firearm ownership for self-defense exceedingly difficult for store owners and private citizens. This incident in Santa Monica underscores a critical argument from Second Amendment advocates: lawful firearm ownership can mean the difference between life and death during dangerous encounters.
The store owner continues to cooperate with authorities as the investigation proceeds.
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