A concealed-carry holder and a man attempting to rob a business were shot and killed after exchanging fire in Roseland on Sept. 21, according to multiple reports.
Derrick Gholston, who had a permit to carry a concealed firearm, was outside a barbershop located on the first block of East 112th Place. Two men came up to him, and one of them pointed a handgun at him demanding his property, according to Chicago Sun-Times.
The news outlet reported that Gholston did as the robbers asked him. He handed over his property to the men, one of whom, the Chicago Tribune reported, was wearing a black ski mask. However, as the Chicago Tribune reported, the two robbers then entered the shop and attempted to rob the people inside as well as the business itself.
Gholston then pulled his firearm to confront the robbers, which resulted in a shootout. Gholston and the two robbers were all shot during the gunfire exchange. Gholston and one of the robbers, 18-year-old Carlos Smith, were shot fatally. The other robber, a 51-year-old man, was shot twice in the leg, according to Chicago Sun-Times. Gholston and Smith were transported to the Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn after authorities arrived on the crime scene, whereas the 51-year-old was transported to the Stroger Hospital, according to Chicago Tribune.
An hour after Gholston and Smith were shot, they were pronounced dead by authorities. However, the 51-year-old robber, after being treated at the medical center and stabilized, escaped from the medical center. He is currently being pursued by the authorities, according to the New York Post.
Franklin Jones, a friend of Gholston, said that he was an easygoing guy and the two of them would play softball with their team and hang out after their Sunday game, according to Chicago Sun-Times. Jones said that the only reason why Gholston would even carry a gun was to be able to protect himself. Gholston owned a food truck and often carried a gun due to his food truck business, according to Chicago Sun-Times.
Jones also said that Gholston was the type to put himself out there if he knew he could help.
“If he saw something bad going down and he felt like he could help prevent it or end it, he would definitely put himself into it,” Jones said.
According to the police, a handgun was found behind the premise, but no gun was found on Smith’s person. Authorities are confused as to how many guns were involved in the shooting, Chicago Tribune reported.
People who conceal carry their firearms are generally warned not to fight back against robbers or during a robbery. Authorities and conceal-carry holders agree that property can be replaced. At least three people have died while attempting to protect themselves against other people with firearms, according to Chicago Tribune.
