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A Milwaukee, Wisconsin, store owner grabbed his AR-15 and opened fire on a group of would-be burglars, later posting a warning to social media to anyone else looking to break into his store, reports local media.
The owner of Bouchard’s, a clothing and accessory store, acted swiftly when several men drove a van into the storefront doors. Realizing the men were armed and believing they intended to cause him harm, the owner opened fire and sent the crooks fleeing. After the fact, he posted a defiant message to Instagram, warning other criminals against attacking his store.
The owner’s lawyer, John Schiro, said his client believed the burglars were not only after money, but also blood.
“The persons who tried to break into his store that night not only intended to steal but intended to kill him,” said Schiro.
While the owner had a handgun concealed nearby, he “momentarily” forgot, and scrambled into the backroom to retrieve his AR-15.
“When Mr. Murrar saw these fellows, he immediately, because he saw they were armed, and that they saw him, and they were really making eye contact like ‘Are you really going to come in?’” said Schiro. “He momentarily didn’t realize that his pistol was right there. He went into the back room and got the rifle that he used.”
One of the burglars, Deishub Byrd-Mcway, 21, was shot several times and admitted himself to an area hospital. Police followed up with Byrd-Mcway, but he is evidently not cooperating with authorities.
In a brazen act of bravado, the owner later posted to his Instagram, telling crooks everywhere that he intends to protect his livelihood:
“JUST TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT, WE GO TO WORK TO MAKE OUR LIVING AND FEED OUR FAMILIES NOT TO HAVE SHOOTOUTS…… DON’T COME TO OUR ESTABLISHMENT WITH GUNS OR TRY BREAKING IN OUR STORES AND EXPECT LESS THAN US DEFENDING OUR SELVES AND IF THIS IS WHAT IT’S GONNA TAKE THEN LET IT BE, WE WILL PROTECT OUR BUSINESS AND EMPLOYEES AT ANY COST.
“This video also shows the perfect example of dumb criminals. These are the steps:
• Steal a van.
• Crash the stolen van into a store and make all of that loud noise when it’s quiet at night.
• Don’t expect anyone to be monitoring or securing they’re small business.
• GET SHOT.
• GET ARRESTED.
• Leave with nothing.
“At the end of the day it’s just some clothes it’s not worth anyone’s life. … WE LOVE MILWAUKEE, WE HAVE BEEN IN THE MARKETY SINCE 1988 AND WE WILL ALWAYS BE AROUND.”
(This article was a submission by freelance writer Brent Rogers)