The retired U.S. marine who thwarted an attempted robbery by three suspects in a convenience store in Arizona is a hero in more ways than one.
Veteran James Kilcer gained national attention last week after a video of him swiftly disarming an armed burglar in a Chevron gas station went viral on social media.
“As the armed suspect walked by Mr. Kilcer while pointing the weapon at the cashier, Kilcer reacted without hesitation, quickly disarming the suspect and taking him to the ground. He was able to immediately gain control of the gun and detain the suspect until Deputies arrived. As a result, no victims were injured and no property loss was sustained,” the Yuma County Sherriff’s Office wrote in a press release.
When three suspects walked into a store – one pointing a handgun at the cashier – a customer immediately disarmed them. Turns out, he's a Marine. “The Marine Corps taught me not to [mess] around," the customer said. pic.twitter.com/G6iPXr8Qpp
— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 21, 2021
Kilcer’s quick thinking prompted an interview with Fox News about his experience. Anchor Dana Perino wrapped up the segment by offering to buy Kilcer a beer, but the veteran had a different closing comment in mind.
“And remember, Epstein didn’t kill himself,” Kilcer replied, which prompted laughing from Perino.
“Very clever,” she said.
The Marine who stopped the corner store robbery in the viral video was just on Fox News.
He ended his interview saying "Epstein didn't kill himself" haha. pic.twitter.com/NUkZaow09j
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyDillon) October 22, 2021
As a result of Kilcer’s smooth takedown of the armed suspect, the Yuma, Arizona Sheriff’s Office awarded the veteran the YCSO Citizen’s Valor Award: “For extraordinary heroism and exceptional courage while voluntarily coming to the aid of another citizen during an incident involving criminal activity at extreme, life threatening, personal risk in an attempt to save or protect human life.”
“The YCSO Citizen’s Valor Award is the highest award for citizens whose actions warrant recognition,” the press release noted.
Kilcer’s ability to think on his feet produced heroic results, but the veteran showed even more courage when he accepted the award from Sheriff Leon Wilmot in a “Let’s Go Brandon” shirt and iconic red “Make America Great Again” cap.
https://www.facebook.com/yumacountysheriff.az/posts/202134655384308
Kilcer celebrated his award while The American Legion Post 19, Marine Corps League Territorial Detachment 635, the Chevron General Manager, and the Yuma community looked on.
Kilcer will not only go down in history as being one of the calmest people to take down a bad guy with a gun, but he’ll also be remembered for sticking it to the Biden administration and other elites in one of the most polite yet noticeable ways possible.