As reported, one violent robber was fatally shot after he and three accomplices attempted to rob an East St. Louis, IL convenience store.

Police say that four armed robbers forced their way in through the locked front door of the Quality Market at about 3:00 AM.  The robbers are said to have rushed toward the 21 year old clerk, who grabbed his self defense pistol.  The robbers reportedly attacked the clerk, at which point one of the robbers was shot in the chest.  The uninjured robbers grabbed their injured accomplice and fled, according to police.  The injured robber reportedly died of his wounds at a nearby hospital, and two suspects who accompanied him to the hospital were arrested.

Once again, gun ownership has allowed a law abiding citizen to defend themselves from multiple violent criminals.  Had this store clerk not had a gun, the robbers may very well have harmed him for not having enough money, or perhaps just for the fun of it.  Make no mistake about it – robbery is a violent crime against the victim’s person, and a deadly threat to their life.  This is all the more true when, as here, a single victim is confronted by multiple attackers.