Rolling Oaks Mall Robber Shot A Retired Marine Veteran, A Citizen Hero With A Gun Took The Suspect Out

An armed robber at Rolling Oaks Mall was shot by a man with a concealed carry.

Robber At Rolling Oaks Mall Stopped By Concealed Carry

San Antonio, Texas –  One person was killed and five were injured in a shooting at the crowded Rolling Oaks Mall on Sunday afternoon.

According to Fox News,  San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said that the shooting was a “robbery gone really, really bad.”  Police said that two men tried to rob a Kay’s Jewelry Store inside the mall, which is located northeast of downtown San Antonio.  As the suspects began to flee, they ran into other shoppers.  It was later reported that nothing had been stolen due to the actions of two Good Samaritans who stopped the robbery.

One of the Good Samaritans, Jonathan Murphy, age 42, of Cibolo, was shot and killed by one of the suspects.  Murphy, who was not armed, was with his wife inside the Kay’s Jewelry Store getting their wedding bands cleaned.  He was a retired Marine veteran.  His stepson Chris Cercone, said that Murphy “loved Harleys, the Marine Corps, and being a good man, but over everything else I believe he loved his wife and family.”

The second Good Samaritan, who was armed and had a concealed carry permit, shot one of the suspects as he fled. That suspect was taken to San Antonio Military Medical Center and is listed in critical condition. He remains hospitalized and will face charges later. It is believed that this suspect killed Murphy.

The second suspect fled, shooting at bystanders as he left the mall.  Two other shooting victims were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, as well as a woman who complained of chest pains and was later determined to have had a heart attack, and a pregnant woman who went into labor.

According to Fox San Antonio,  the second suspect, Jason Matthew Prieto, age 35, was arrested late Sunday night after he crashed a stolen vehicle in Converse, Texas, near Copper Gate and Loop 1604. Converse Police Officers had received a report of erratic driving.  Before they arrived Prieto hit a stop sign and then crashed into a culvert.  He was not with the vehicle when Officers arrived but was located nearby.  Prieto was immediately taken into custody by Converse Police Officers.

Prieto was in possession of two handguns when he was arrested.  Ballistics tests are being done on those two handguns to determine if they were used in the mall shootings.  Custody of Prieto was transferred to San Antonio Police Officers and he was charged with Capital Murder and two counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. He is being held under $1.7 million bond.  Police said that this robbery may also be related to another recent, similar robbery that occurred at South Park Mall on Friday.

San Antonio Police Chief McManus said “It’s absolutely senseless. Absolutely senseless. This is the second time that a Good Samaritan was killed trying to intervene in a crime to help the victim.”  The mall was placed on lockdown after the incident,and will reopen on Monday at noon.  After the violent shooting, Police Officers escorted shoppers out of stores one by one.  Store Managers were allowed in later that night to secure their stores.

The identities of other subjects involved have not been released.

In a statement issued Monday morning, Kay Jewelers said “We are shocked and saddened by the tragic events at the Rolling Oaks Mall in San Antonio, TX. We extend our deepest sympathies to everyone affected. Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and Team Members and their ability to shop and work in a safe environment.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Jonathan Murphy, and we thank him for his bravery and service to this country.  Thankfully the second unnamed Good Samaritan, was able to take down one of the suspects before he could kill again.

You never know when being armed may save a life. All you need to protect yourselves and others is your weapon and a comfortable concealed carry holster.

Do you think that you’d be ready if armed robbers suddenly showed up where you were at?  Please share your comments on Facebook or below.