The most demonized gun in America was key to interrupting a savage knife attack in suburban Chicago on Monday.
Witnessing an argument that escalated into a knife attack in Oswego, Illinois, Dave Thomas ran into his apartment and grabbed his AR-15 and saved the day.
“I poked my head out the door. There was a pool of blood, blood was everywhere in the hall,” Thomas told WGN. “There was still a confrontation going on, there were about three or four people involved at this point. So I ran back into my house and grabbed my AR-15.”
Thomas says he chose the gun over his handgun for the “intimidation factor.”
“I grabbed the AR-15 over my handgun — bigger gun, I think a little more of an intimidation factor,” he told WGN. “Definitely played a part in him actually stopping.”
The attacker fled, but was captured by police a short time later.
“The AR-15 is my weapon of choice for home protection,” Thomas continued. “It’s light, it’s maneuverable. If you train and know how to use it properly, it’s not dangerous. And this is just a perfect example of good guy with an AR-15 stopped a bad guy with a knife. And there were no lives taken, so all in all it was a good day.”
According to police, Thomas is a legal gun owner with a concealed carry permit.
The stabbing victim was reportedly taken to a local hospital.
Watch: