A California man sprung into action to protect his two grandsons, when he gunned down a burglar who broke into his store in the middle of the night.
The would-be thief kicked his way into the Rancho Cordova business just after 1 a.m. on Sunday — and was almost immediately shot by the storeowner, who only gave his name as Robert, KCRA reported.
Robert said he was forced to kill the man in order to save his two grandsons, ages 4 and 14, from harm.
“Boom, it was that quick,” the 70-year-old told the outlet. “We’d be dead. Because if he would have got my gun when I pulled it out. Because he continued to go towards me. He wasn’t afraid of me.”
Robert had been asleep in the backroom with the boys when the teenager shook him awake after he heard glass shatter and told him “somebody is breaking in.”
The suspect flashed a light in Robert’s face, and the shopkeeper thought he saw the man holding a gun.
He opened fire, and the suspect, only identified as a man in his 30s, collapsed and died in the store parking lot. Police later confirmed he was not armed.
The shooting is currently being investigated as a homicide, however local law enforcement hope the botched robbery sends a clear message to criminals.
“Business owners don’t want to be victims anymore, and they’re taking their matters into their own hands. This isn’t something that we’re encouraging – vigilantism, by any stretch,” said Sgt. Amar Gandhi with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.
“But at the same time, you have to applaud him. He demonstrated restraint. He did what he had to do to protect the people inside, including himself,” he added.
Robert said if he was put in the same situation again, he would not think twice about pulling the trigger.
“Am I upset about him? Yes. I didn’t want him to break in, but I’m very happy that my babies are alive,” he said.
Investigators said Robert has been cooperative and do not believe he will face any charges.