An armed robber in California took off running after the owner of a liquor store fired his shotgun from behind the counter.
It happened in Riverside County. According to a news release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, four armed suspects showed up to the store in a dark-colored vehicle and approached the store wearing hoods and masks.
Surveillance video from inside and outside the store captured the moment the 80-year-old store owner – Craig Cope – fired his shotgun after one of the suspects walked into the store with what appeared to be a weapon.
Marnie, a store employee, detailed the events to local media saying,
“They came in telling him, ‘Freeze,’ and something about ‘This is a robbery. To himself, I’m sure he thought, ‘No, it ain’t,’ because he just opened fire.”
After Cope fired his weapon, the would be robber turned and ran out of the store. In a second video from outside, the man is seen running to the dark colored vehicle, holding his gun and screaming, “He shot my arm off! He shot my arm off!”
Authorities said they arrested three suspects at a nearby hospital parking lot on charges of robbery and conspiracy. They identified the suspects as Justin Johnson, Jamar Williams, and Davon Broadus.
The fourth and primary suspect – who is still at the hospital being treated for injuries consistent with a gunshot wound – was not identified.
Investigators said they found numerous stolen guns inside the vehicle, which had also been reported stolen.
The Sheriff’s office has confirmed that no charges will be filed against the store owner saying,
“In this case, a lawfully armed member of our community prevented a violent crime and ensured their own safety, while being confronted with multiple armed suspects.”
Cope suffered a heart attack after the incident and is in the hospital recovering.
Official Press Release From Riverside County Sheriff’s Department:
On Sunday, July 31, 2022, about 2:47 AM, deputies from the Norco Sheriff’s Station responded to reports of an attempted armed robbery at a business located in the 800 block of 6th Street. The investigation was corroborated by surveillance video and revealed four armed suspects arrived at the business in a dark colored vehicle. These suspects approached the business entrance armed with long guns wearing facial coverings and hoods. Immediately upon entering the business with the rifles pointed at the ready, an employee inside the business fired a single shot from a shotgun, causing the suspects to flee the business.
With the assistance of another law enforcement agency, the suspects were located at a hospital in the Southern California region, one of whom was suffering from a gunshot wound consistent with a shotgun blast. Three additional suspects were also located at the hospital in the suspect vehicle, which had been previously reported stolen. The vehicle, a dark-colored BMW SUV, was also found to contain numerous stolen firearms.
The following three suspects were immediately taken into police custody in the hospital parking lot and were booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for robbery and conspiracy. They are being held in lieu of $500,000 bail:
Justin Johnson, 22-years old resident of Inglewood, CA
Jamar Williams, 27-year-old resident of Los Angeles, CA
Davon Broadus, 24-year old resident of Las Vegas, NV
The primary suspect, a 23-year-old male, remains hospitalized in critical, but stable condition, and his identity will not be released at this time. He will be booked into a Riverside County jail upon his release from the hospital.
In this case, a lawfully armed member of our community prevented a violent crime and ensured their own safety, while being confronted with multiple armed suspects. This investigation is active and ongoing and no additional information will currently be released.
Anyone with additional information regarding this arrest is encouraged to contact either Investigator Komins or Investigator Morgan at the Jurupa Valley Station, at (951) 955-2600. The Norco Sheriff’s Substation and the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station continuously strive to ensure the citizens of Riverside County live comfortably and their quality of life is unimpeded.
As a reminder, “Community Policing” involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. Business owners and residents are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776-1099, or by calling 911 if the matter is an emergency. Criminal activity can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline, (909) 987-5005 our Crime Tip online form.
