Concealed Carry Helps Stop Shooter at Nightclub

Jody Ray Thompson

A hero with a concealed carry permit saved a bunch of lives on Sunday morning. Many people would think that law enforcement, of all people, would want the strictest gun laws to be enforced everywhere.  That is a far cry from the truth; at least for myself and almost every other cop that I personally know, and that’s quite a few.  If you are a responsible law abiding citizen, then you should have the same right to protect yourself that I have.  Cops trust people who obey the law, it’s the criminals that we don’t trust. Unfortunately, certain people in this country would make you think that anyone who wants to own a gun is bad. No gun law in this country will ever prevent a determined criminal from getting a gun; it’s a sad but true fact.

32-year-old Jody Ray Thompson, a criminal, not a law abiding citizen, got into an argument at a club over the weekend. Instead of acting like an adult and walking away, he decided to open fire at a crowd of innocent people. Luckily for those individuals, a hero with a legal concealed carry permit was on scene.  He took action, just like we would expect any capable law abiding citizen with a gun to do.  He shot Thompson in the leg, wounding him enough to prevent further bloodshed until authorities could arrive.  Just think what could have been had this citizen hero been at the Pulse Night Club. Think of how many lives could have been saved.

WISTV reports:

LYMAN, SC (FOX Carolina) –

Deputies with Spartanburg County said a man faces multiple attempted murder charges after opening fire outside a nightclub early Sunday morning.

The shooting happened around 3:30 a.m. at Playoffz nightclub on Inman Road in Lyman.

Deputies said 32-year-old Jody Ray Thompson pulled out a gun after getting  into an argument with another man and fired several rounds toward a crowd that had gathered out in front of the club.

“His rounds struck 3 victims, and almost struck a fourth victim, who in self-defense, pulled his own weapon and fired, striking Thompson in the leg,” Lt. Kevin Bobo said.

Bobo said the man who shot Thompson has a valid concealed weapons permit, cooperated with investigators, and won’t be facing any charges.

“Thompson was still on the scene when deputies arrived, but the initial scene was chaotic,” Bobo said. “It wasn’t until victims and witnesses were interviewed, and video from the scene was reviewed that Thompson was identified as the suspect.”

Thompson was charged four counts of attempted murder, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, and unlawful carrying of a weapon.

Bobo said none of the victims’ injuries were life threatening.

Thompson is being held at the Spartanburg County Detention Center.

Thanks to the actions of one brave man, no innocent victims had to die that day.