The greatest fear of gun control supporters in urban areas is that their citizens will see more stories like this that undermine the false narrative that “guns cause crime”.
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Reginald Gildersleeve, 55, was identified by police, who claim the man walked into the store, announced the robbery and drew his handgun. Another employee came from the back of the store and the gunman pointed his weapon at her, police said. No other information about Gildersleeve has been released by the authorities. The woman faces up to 90 days in jail after pleading no contest to a charge of reckless discharge of a firearm. Charges against the shooter are not expected, police said.
“We’re looking at it as a self-defense issue at this point”, he said. Gildersleeve was pronounced dead at 7:10 p.m. on the scene in the 2700 block of West 51 Street, according to the medical examiner’s office.
The man’s stepson defended him: “Something just don’t sit well with me”, he said. “Reggie doesn’t even own a gun”.
The Tribune, citing multiple law enforcement sources who requested anonymity, said Gildersleeve’s gun was actually either a toy or paintball gun. Guglielmi could not confirm that.
In response, an unidentified customer who was in the process of making a financial transaction with a worker at the store, pulled a gun and fired several times, reports the Tribune, fatally shooting Mr. Gildersleeve. No one was hurt.
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As for the hero, police told the Sun-Times he did have a concealed carry permit and provided an identification card stating his ability to hide carry. “They go to firing ranges, but it’s not the same as a bullet going into someone’s body, it’s not the same as a bullet going into flesh”. They should be able to wound first, kill next.
