INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FL — A store employee at a Wabasso convenience store fired two warning shots into the air to disarm a gun-wielding man who was threatening customers both inside and outside the business, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a report by Treasure Coast Newspaper, the incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on October 3 at Wabasso Foods, located in the 6300 block of 85th Street. Authorities reported that the suspect, 62-year-old Calvert Allen, arrived at the store on a bicycle and began threatening a woman in the parking lot, allegedly telling her he was going to kill her. The woman fled, and Allen entered the store, continuing his threats and demanding that everyone leave the premises.
A female employee confronted Allen, pushed him outside, and ordered him to drop his handgun. When he refused, she fired two shots into the air to get him to drop the gun. While firing warning shots is generally not recommended due to safety and legal risks, it worked in this case. She was able to take the weapon from him.
A school resource deputy who had just finished his shift heard the call over the radio and arrived first at the scene. Allen was reportedly on his knees with his hands up but refused to comply with further commands. A store patron intervened by kicking Allen and forcing him onto his stomach.
Allen was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, and exhibition of a weapon in public. No injuries were reported. Authorities confirmed that there was no threat to a nearby preschool and daycare due to the timing and location of the incident.
Lt. Kevin Jaworski of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office stated that the employee acted in self-defense and was within her legal rights to protect herself. Capt. Joe Abollo noted that Allen was known to locals and had recently exhibited unstable behavior.
In situations involving an armed threat, the goal is to stop the threat without putting others at risk. While firing warning shots is generally discouraged due to the potential for unintended harm and legal consequences, the employee made a split-second decision based on the immediate danger. She did what she thought she needed to do to protect herself and those around her, successfully disarming the man and holding him at gunpoint until deputies arrived.
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