Parenthood
Quick-thinking dad goes into hero mode when store burglar points gun at him and his child
When his child was in danger, this dad didn't hesitate to act.
Luis Gaskell
06.28.22

It takes a lot of courage to raise a child, and some dads even go above and beyond that. Not every neighborhood or city is safe to raise a child in. Many parents in such areas just have to go the extra mile to protect their kids.

Taking place in a convenience store, this father and his child had a very, very close call.

YouTube screenshot - Inside Edition
Source:
YouTube screenshot - Inside Edition

This whole scene happened in Detroit, one of the most dangerous major cities in the US. Detroit boasts a worryingly high rate of crime, and up to a few hundred reported murders each year.

Detroit’s rate of crime is so significant in that it’s affected the way people live their daily lives there – people like this dad. What should have been a normal trip to the store with the baby turned into a near-death encounter.

YouTube screenshot - Inside Edition
Source:
YouTube screenshot - Inside Edition

While inside the gas station convenience store, a stranger walked through the door in front of this dad.

Something about the man’s gait already sounded alarms in the dad’s head, as you can see from the body language.

His worst fears were realized when he saw the man reach down his pants and pulled out a gun.

The man then pulled out the magazine shortly after.

YouTube screenshot - Inside Edition
Source:
YouTube screenshot - Inside Edition

He had to think quickly now. Freezing in fear would only make things worse, so he maneuvered to cover his child with his body.

With his free arm, he quickly reached out to slap the gun out of the man’s hand.

Even if it didn’t knock the gun out of his hands, it might at least throw the man’s aim off.

Whatever worked. The life of his child depended on it.

YouTube screenshot - Inside Edition
Source:
YouTube screenshot - Inside Edition

The child has no idea what’s going on. They’ll be in for a shock when they grow up and watch this security footage.

Thanks to a split-second, fearless move by dad, the gunman backed off and things didn’t get worse.

YouTube screenshot - Inside Edition
Source:
YouTube screenshot - Inside Edition

And to make it serendipitous, it was on father’s day that all this was happening.

As for dad, he seems to be okay. The suspect didn’t get any shots off, and dad also happened to take cover back in the store.

YouTube screenshot - Inside Edition
Source:
YouTube screenshot - Inside Edition

Not every dad will get to tell their kids that they stood in front of a gun for them.

And I sure hope none of them ever have to.

YouTube screenshot - Inside Edition
Source:
YouTube screenshot - Inside Edition

Thanks to the CCTV footage (which is the only reason we can even watch this), it shouldn’t be too hard to have some visual ID on the suspect.

Though the suspect didn’t manage to hurt anyone, he’s still out on the loose and could still get the chance.

YouTube screenshot - Inside Edition
Source:
YouTube screenshot - Inside Edition

But no one will forget the fearless few seconds that this dad showed. Nearly looking down the barrel of a gun and risking it all to protect his baby.

Michael Chambers of the Detroit Police Department spoke of how horrid this situation was.

“It’s just upsetting. It’s difficult to watch. I mean, it’s just no regard for human life or for the life of a child.”

Based on the security footage, it seems like there were few, if any, people besides the father and child inside the store. The obvious lack of a security guard was probably what made this place a target.

Check out how this brave dad saved his baby and himself below. Don’t forget to share this article as well!

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