Chicago Store Owner Uses Baseball Bat To Fight Off Gunman

Via mpopenker

 

A Chicago store owner survived an armed robbery by using a baseball bat to fight off the gunman. It was all caught on camera. The attempted armed robbery took place Tuesday at a shop in the 2200-block of North Western in the Logan Square neighborhood.

The surveillance cameras capture the story: Store owner Luis Quizhpe comes face-to-face with a gunman who is firing one shot after another as Quizhpe fights back with a baseball bat.

"My father pulled a bat and started swinging at them," said Juan Quizhpe, Luis's son. "One of the robbers actually shot his partner, and that's when they tried to flee."

Luis Quizhpe is glad to be alive.

"Thank you to Jesus," he said, "Another chance."

Chicago police confirm two would-be robbers entered the store on North Western Avenue Tuesday around 5:30 p.m.

Quizhpe and another relative were inside the store and even handed one of the robbers a tissue before the violence.

"One of the guys said, 'Give me the money or you are dead'," said relative Luis Aucaquizhpi.

During the violent struggle, several shots were fired, but Quizhpe and Aucaquizhpi fought back.

"I almost got killed," said Aucaquizhpi.

Quizhpe was shot in the thigh and was released from the hospital Wednesday.

The robber jumped the counter, realizing he had to buzz the door to get out.

"My father is a brave and courageous man, and I thank God for a father like that," said Juan Quizhpe.

Business owners say Quizhpe and his family are religious and well-known in the Ecuadorian community.

"They believe in their religion," said John Gutierrez. "Their belief is if it's my time to go, it's my time to go."

In this case, the robbers ended up leaving, fleeing the store.

"I just hope they come forward," said Juan Quizhpe, "or someone notices who they are and brings them to justice."