The man who shot dead the gunman who attacked a crowded Oklahoma City restaurant on Thursday is being hailed as a “hero” by police and one victim’s father.
The shooter, who was reportedly wearing ear protection and eye glasses, entered Louie’s Grill and Bar around 6:30 p.m. and opened fire, wounding at three people before exiting the restaurant and being confronted by the armed citizen, who shot him as he tried to escape. (RELATED: Active Shooter Quickly ‘Shot To Death By Armed Citizen,’ Police Report)
Police Captain Bo Matthews called the armed citizen “a blessing.”
“It’s a blessing this was stopped,” Matthews told KFOR. “Who knew when this guy was going to stop shooting people.”
Two victims, Natalie Will and Niah, her 12-year-old daughter, were attending her other daughter Shayla’s 14th birthday party at the restaurant with Shayla’s best friend Alex. All three were shot, but are expected to survive.
Jabari Giles, Niah’s father, told KFOR that his daughter is expected to recover with no significant long term damage. He also called the armed individual who confronted the shooter a “hero” on his Facebook page.
“Syniah is out of surgery and we have been told that there was no major or long term damage done,” wrote Giles. “We are with her now in recovery. Thank you to everyone for reaching out and coming to our side during this. Also to the good samaritan that killed that monster I want to meet you and shake your hand and tell you face to face thank you for saving my daughter’s and everyone else in that restaurants life. You are my hero sir. Also to Oklahoma City law enforcement for the immediate show of force I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My daughter Shayla’s friend Alex was also shot and is doing well from what I’ve been told. I didn’t want to post much about her condition out of respect for her family.”
Neither the man nor the shooter have been identified yet.
“This story out of Oklahoma City is just more evidence to just how important guns are in the hands of law-abiding people, and more importantly, trained individuals—people willing to step up and confront evil.” —@stinchfield1776 #NRA pic.twitter.com/2SwbXC3eR5
— NRATV (@NRATV) May 25, 2018