DECATUR, IL – A 67-year-old concealed carry permit holder shot and seriously wounded an armed attacker after being fired upon inside a storage building in the 200 block of West Packard Street on Sept. 2, according to a sworn police affidavit.
According to the affidavit obtained by the Herald Review (Paywall), Decatur police said the suspect, identified as Telly C. Young, 48, entered the building in the early morning hours while the owner was inside working on a lawnmower. The victim told investigators Young announced, “I own this building, where is my sister?” while pointing a handgun. As Young closed distance, he allegedly fired three to four rounds at the victim. The victim drew his own lawfully carried firearm and returned fire three to four times, striking Young in the right pectoral area and right bicep, the affidavit states.
Police said the victim then ordered Young to the floor. Young reportedly “scooted backwards” while still holding a .380 semi-automatic pistol that was later found jammed. The victim told police he made Young toss the pistol out of reach, escorted him outside, and called 911. The victim surrendered his .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol to responding officers and walked them “step by step” through the sequence of events. He was not listed as facing charges.
Young was initially treated at Decatur Memorial Hospital and transferred to Springfield Memorial Hospital, police said. After his release, booking records show he was booked into the Macon County Jail at 7:27 p.m. on Sept. 8 by the Decatur Police Department. Jail records list preliminary charges that include violation of parole or mandatory supervised release, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon on person, felon in possession or use of a firearm, unlawful possession of a handgun, armed habitual criminal, and an offense listed as murder or intent to kill or injure. Police said Young was held on preliminary charges of attempted murder and armed habitual criminal, along with other weapons offenses. Court records had not yet been updated at the time of the initial report to reflect any charging decisions by the state’s attorney.
Public records reflect Young’s prior conviction as an armed habitual criminal in Macon County, which was affirmed on appeal in 2019. As always, booking agencies note that postings may reflect transfers or failures to appear, and all subjects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Distance and decisive counterfire can stop a close-range attack. The defender’s actions underscore key principles for concealed carriers: maintain situational awareness even in familiar spaces, move to create angles or cover if possible, issue clear commands when the threat is contained, and call 911 immediately. Just as important, be prepared to safely secure your firearm and fully cooperate with responding officers.
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