This probably won’t be on the Evening News. Neither David Muir, Lester Holt, Norah O’Donnell nor any of the other news performers are likely to highlight a pro gun story.
Here’s the headline:
Indianapolis man legally carrying concealed weapon kills potential mass murderer on shooting spree
The story:
According to Police in Brownsburg, Ind., Joshua Christopher Hayes, 22, who was black, stepped out of his car at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday. Hayes started shooting at the first people he saw – two white males working at a cemetery.
CEMETERY WORKERS ATTACKED
One man, 36-year-old Seth Robertson, was hit and fell in the road. Hayes cold bloodedly walked up to him and shot the downed man in the chest three times, killing him.
Next, Hayes chased the second man down, as yet unnamed, shooting at and hitting him. According to a police release detailing the incident Hayes then began chasing the second victim on foot, through a residential neighborhood and back onto 56th Street.
Guy Relford, Indianapolis attorney and host of “The Gun Guy” on WIBC, told WIBC host Chris Davis Thursday that he is representing the motorist. Relford declined an interview with IndyStar.
THE GUN GUY
The attorney’s account
Relford said a bullet went through his client’s vehicle while at the stoplight. His client saw Hayes and the other victim in the intersection. Hayes was firing his weapon at the second victim during the chase.
Hayes caught up with the other man in the westbound lane of 56th Street and was still firing as a physical altercation ensued, both men struggling over the gun, according to the attorney.
“The scenario was fairly clear to him in that the one person was chasing the other and the other was saying, ‘no, no, no, no please don’t shoot me, please don’t shoot me,’ ” Relford said. “And my client, under incredibly stressful circumstances took aim, from his car, took his shot [and] hit the gunman.”
Relford said Hayes stood up with the gun still in his hand, at which time his client fired three more times, killing the suspect.
And that’s when Joshua Hayes was put down like a rabid dog. Hayes died on the scene. His killing spree was stopped by a legal Concealed Weapon Carrier (also unnamed).
THE DEADLY INTERSECTION
Police determined that Hayes and the victims did not know each other. It was a 100% random attack.
Relford said people who use force in self-defense hire representation to help deal with the aftermath, including police interviews.
Relford said his client is not facing any charges, adding that he is protected by Indiana law that allows a person to use reasonable force, including deadly force, to protect themselves or a third person from serious bodily injury.
Relford said his client would also be protected from civil liability per a new state law that grants immunity in cases of self defense. That law went into effect last year.
“I really feel this gentleman did everything right including how he handled the aftermath of the shooting,” Relford said.
The Brownsburg Police Capt. Jennifer Barrett summed it up: “This tragic event could have been much more disastrous. So, victim three not only saved victim two’s life, but he saved potentially the lives of many others. Victim three did exactly what anybody would have wanted him to do at that scene that day.”
