As reported, a Chattanooga, TN armed robber victim handed over his money and offered no resistance, yet the robber still chose to shoot him in the mouth:
The two men, Marcus Ramos Alonzo and José Lagos, told police they were driving when they noticed they were being followed by a white vehicle with several people inside. When they stopped at 2213 E. 14th St., a black male got out of the following vehicle and came up to them with a handgun, demanding money, according to the news release from Lt. Kim Noorbergen. Mr. Alonzo said he was shot after he gave the robber his money. The robber took Mr. Lagos’ money as well, and the white vehicle was driven away, police said.
As this sad example shows, complying with a criminal’s demands is no guarantee that the criminal won’t become violent. Similarly, running from the criminal can also lead to injury.
Remember, criminals are unpredictable, and often mentally unstable. In this case that unpredictability and instability can be seen clearly. By shooting the victim, the robber committed a much more serious crime, and made it likely that the police will spend more resources to solve this crime . In exchange for that increased risk of being caught, the robber received not a single penny more from his victims. This is clearly not a rational choice – yet is is a choice that robbers make time and time again.
Fighting back against robbers, however, can be quite effective as a means of reducing the risk of injury. This pregnant woman used a gun to defend herself, her unborn child, her toddler, and her husband from an armed robber, and suffered no harm. This armed barber shot an armed criminal who threatened him and his son, saving their lives. This armed pet shop clerk shot an armed robber who threatened a fellow employee’s life, as well as his own life, preventing them both from being stabbed. This armed pizza delivery man defended himself against 3 armed robbers, and walked away unharmed. This armed citizen stopped a bank robber, while this armed Israeli citizen stopped a terrorist, suffering no harm themselves. This motel clerk was also able to stop an armed robber and ensure that neither a fellow employee, or a nearby mother and baby were harmed. While I could provide more examples, the point should be apparent: armed self defense works.