A hero in Texas

From FoxNews:

Police said the firefight began after Arroyo, wearing a flak jacket and bulletproof vest, confronted his ex-wife and adult son on the courthouse steps about a proceeding involving unpaid child support.

Law enforcement officers responded from inside the courthouse and confronted Arroyo, who is believed to have shot 50 rounds.

Remember Texas has a concealed carry law which allows people to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon. It's been criticized because opponents claim overzealous citizens would interfere with police.

The victims were identified as ex-wife Maribel Estrada, 41, and Mark Wilson, 52, a bystander with a concealed weapons permit who had tried to help. Estrada and Arroyo divorced a year ago after 22 years of marriage....

Four people were wounded, including the gunman's son and three law officers....

Smith County Sheriff's Deputy Sherman Dollison, 28, was in critical condition at East Texas Medical Center after being shot four times.

The bystander with a concealed carry permit was killed, but four law officers were also injured, one critically, before the guy could be stopped. While this case doesn't give an example of a life being saved by the concealed carry law -- it does show that it offers some help to police.

While we all applaud the bravery and sacrifice of the police, I really hope the sacrifice by Mark Wilson is noted and remembered. I also hope those that will inevitably ridicule him, will receive the scorn they deserve. The guy was a hero.

Posted by Jack Lewis at February 25, 2005 09:00 AM