Bystander Thwarts Robbery Attempt at Georgia Fast-Food Joint
In a recent incident at an Alpharetta-based Zaxby’s fast-food restaurant, a courageous bystander played the hero’s role when a 57-year-old man attempted to rob the restaurant’s manager. As the late-night closing hours descended on Sunday, chaos unfolded in the parking lot.
The story begins with the manager finishing his duties and heading out. As he stepped into the parking lot, he encountered an armed man, set on robbing him. It was a perilous moment, but fate had an unexpected twist.
A vigilant bystander, who had just pulled in for a late-night snack, was not just hungry for food but also armed with a firearm. The robber soon found himself staring down the barrel of this unexpected hero’s gun.
In a swift and brave response, the bystander, fearing for both his safety and that of the manager, intervened. As tensions reached their peak, he fired his weapon, striking the would-be robber.
The police arrived swiftly on the scene, creating a perimeter to locate the suspect who had fled into the nearby woods. They eventually found the injured man, who had sustained two gunshot wounds to his leg.
Once the suspect is released from the hospital, he will face a barrage of charges, including armed robbery, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
Remarkably, the armed bystander, who stepped up to protect others, will not face any charges. Under Georgia law, individuals are permitted to use reasonable force to protect themselves or others from severe harm or death. In this case, the authorities believe it was a defensive act in response to a third-party threat.
The manager, although shaken by the ordeal, sustained only superficial injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.
In the end, this fast-food encounter turned into a dramatic episode of bravery and swift justice, highlighting the importance of community vigilance and the law’s provisions for self-defense.