Concealed Carry Citizen Shoots Would-Be Robber In Jaw

by Tim Brown

In another incredible story about an armed citizen thwarting the bad guy, police say a bank employee with a concealed carry permit (CCW) shot bank robbery suspect Michael Stephen Oliva, 34, of Liberty, Missouri in the jaw. Oliva, among the most stupid of crooks, was toting a realistic looking fake plastic gun when he attempted to rob a First Security Bank about 1:30pm on Friday afternoon.

KCTV5

KCTV5 reported on Monday what happened:

A bank employee told the FBI that she saw Oliva enter the bank before he pulled on a black mask. Oliva allegedly pulled out the replica gun and demanded all of the bank’s money.

According to court records, the first bank employee dropped to the floor and began screaming for a second employee to come help. Oliva pointed a gun at the woman, who then tossed a plastic trash can in his direction.

The second bank employee removed a .357-caliber Smith & Wesson from his office. The employee, who has a valid Missouri conceal-and-carry permit, fired two shots at Oliva, according to court records.

One of the shots hit Oliva in the jaw area, while it’s unclear if the second shot also struck him, according to court records.

After he was struck, a staggering Oliva bolted from the scene, leaving a large trail of blood behind him, according to court records.

KCTV5 reported on Friday what took place after the man was shot:

According to police, the robbery suspect then ran out to a nearby parking lot, hopped in a car and took off, leading Trimble police, highway patrol and several other agencies on a chase that ended on I-435 near Northeast 76th Street when authorities laid down four sets of spike strips. Missouri State Highway Patrol took the suspect into custody where he was then taken to an area hospital.

Two right lanes of I-435 were temporarily closed while law enforcement investigated.

Several people in Trimble tell KCTV5′s Stephen Mayer the robbery suspect drove to the Casey’s General Store in Smithville, MO, located about 6 1/2 miles away. That’s where people said he washed up, treated his wound, bought gas and took off again. The FBI and Missouri Highway Patrol haven’t confirmed these details.

He was eventually arrested after a chase which involved speeds up to 100 miles per hour. When he was finally pulled over, he had the audacity to ask the officers “You guys going to let me die?” He was then taken to a local Kansas City hospital for treatment.

At least one resident of the little town of Trimble had great things to say for the unknown bank employee who stopped Oliva.

“He could have saved a lot of lives doing that,” Patricia McWilliams said.

While Oliva had only a plastic gun, I commend the bank employee for doing the right thing and looking to protect the innocent lives of the people around him, not being concerned with the life of the aggressor. I’ll bet we won’t be hearing from the Obama administration or any of the other gun grabbers in America on this situation will we?

Take heart America, guns really do save lives, and those carrying concealed do make a difference in not only their safety, but the safety of those around them.