The 28-year-old garbage truck driver turned the tables on two armed robbers by using his legally carried firearm. The driver was ambushed in an alley by two assailants, who intended to rob him.

The driver, who had a valid concealed carry license (CCL), responded to the threat by drawing his gun and engaging in a shootout. One of the robbers, aged 42, was fatally shot in the head, while his 20-year-old accomplice was in critical condition after being hit in the neck. The driver himself escaped the gunfire unharmed, but they treated him for chest pains at St. Anthony Hospital, where he was reported to be in good condition.

These events consistently raise the topic of gun ownership, self-defense, and concealed carry in Chicago, a city known for its strict gun laws. This is a clear example of why individuals should have the right to protect themselves, including while at work.

There have been more criminals shot by people defending themselves than officer-involved shootings in Chicago in the past year.

In Illinois, you have to have a FOID card just to possess ammunition and a CCL license to carry a gun, which the driver had, but I’m sure the criminals didn’t care about following the law. Illinois law allows for the use of deadly force in self-defense when one reasonably believes they are in immediate danger of death or severe harm.

BREAKING: Chicago garbage truck driver exchanges gunfire with 2 armed robbers: shooting one dead and the other in the neck.

Garbage man is a concealed carry license holder. #2A saved his life this Friday morning. pic.twitter.com/DMo0DxdBJr

— Dapper Detective (@Dapper_Det) January 31, 2025

This story has quickly spread across social media platforms like X, with many expressing support for the driver’s quick thinking and bravery.

Albisu faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly brandishing a firearm at wedding guests in 2023. According to defense expert Bill Engler, “This is when he pulls the gun out, when he is backed up against the bar,” highlighting the moment Albisu felt compelled to act.

Florida judge looks through a VR headset to put himself in the defendant's shoes (self-defense scenario): pic.twitter.com/ehaTD4LCMz

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 2, 2025

Albisu’s defense is based on self-defense. His attorney, Ken Padowitz, described the chaotic scene at the venue, explaining that Albisu’s wife and son were assaulted, with a DJ allegedly throwing a chair that injured the event planner’s wrist.

“They were able to get out, glass shattered everywhere, get out of this wedding facility, and wake up my client, Mike, who was sleeping, and he was told what happened at his wedding facility,” Padowitz recounted. He further explained that upon learning of the situation, Albisu instructed his wife to call emergency services and then took immediate action to protect his staff, property, and family from what he believed to be a dangerous situation caused by intoxicated guests. His goal was to deescalate the tension and end the party peacefully.

An artist used an Oculus Quest 2 VR headset to visualize the defendant’s experience. Padowitz emphasized the importance of this method, stating, “It may be the first time in the United States that virtual reality was admitted into a criminal hearing,” marking a potentially revolutionary approach to courtroom evidence presentation.

Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, enacted in 2005, removes the duty to retreat before using deadly force in self-defense. This law allows individuals to use force, including deadly force, if they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to themselves or others, or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony. The law applies anywhere a person has a legal right to be, not just in their home, under what’s known as the “castle doctrine.” It provides immunity from criminal prosecution and civil liability if the use of force is deemed justified. However, this does not apply if the person using force was engaged in criminal activity or was the initial aggressor.

This technology uses images or videos taken when the event happened. If there’s enough data to recreate the incident accurately, it would put jurors or the judge in the defendant’s shoes.

This type of VR differs from what AI generates from some user’s input. It’s not as much of an “interpretation” as a 3D rendering based on crime scene evidence. In this case, the artist had existing images and videos to work off of.

The prosecutor or defense attorney could make objections just like any other evidence before the jury ever sees it, and not all video or testimony is allowed now. Evidentiary hearings are where this would get sorted out.

This is a promising new technology that should progress rapidly, and its development will be fascinating to watch.

Reports indicate that the white four-door pickup truck that was used crossed the border at Eagle Pass, Texas, two days before it plowed through a crowd on Bourbon Street.

The FBI believes the suspect is believed to be Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, a U.S. citizen from Texas, who was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police.

The vehicle allegedly contained improvised explosives and had a black ISIS flag on the back. From the looks of the videos, the truck ran into a four-wheel man lift, and the subject exited the vehicle.

NEW FOOTAGE from New Orleans shows the moments Shamsud Din Jabbar steps out of his vehicle after crashing it and begins shooting.

The suspect was struck by police fire and declared dead at the scene. pic.twitter.com/CeduvaJw0f

— I Meme Therefore I Am ???????? (@ImMeme0) January 1, 2025

The FBI said the suspect is believed to be Shamsud Din Jabbar, 42, a U.S. citizen from Texas, and he was killed after police returned fire when he began shooting. CBS is reporting that he was wearing body armor and had a rifle.

#BREAKING: Law enforcement officials and other government agencies are investigating whether the New Orleans terrorist had a connection to ISIS. It’s also confirmed that he was wearing full military gear and body-armor. https://t.co/52NhSuIWCM pic.twitter.com/1dni3QMIl3

— Insider Wire (@InsiderWire) January 1, 2025

The vehicle allegedly contained improvised explosives and had a black ISIS flag on the back, which raised concerns about potential ties and affiliations with terrorist groups.

“We are aggressively running down all leads to identify any possible associates of the subject,” the FBI said.

NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said, “This man was trying to run over as many people as he could.”

“He was hellbent on creating the carnage and damage that he did,” Kirkpatrick said. “This was not a DUI situation.”

According to a witness, the barricades were not up last night, and the New Orleans authorities were updating the series of security barricades installed in 2017 to deter terrorist attacks on Bourbon Street. Mid-December marked the start of the project, with a planned completion date of February.

These hydraulic steel barriers were installed on Borboun Street in New Orleans after an attack in France where the t*rrorist used his car as a weapon, k*lling 86.

They’re supposed to be raised between 5pm – 5am.

The city chose not to raise them last night according to a… pic.twitter.com/HExkeA8wvQ

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 1, 2025

In a statement issued by the New Orleans Police Department, they said, “After the vehicle came to a stop, the suspect reportedly opened fire on responding officers, who returned fire. The victim was struck and subsequently declared deceased on the scene. Further information on the suspect is not currently available for release.

Two NOPD officers were struck and injured in the exchange. Both were transported via EMS to a local hospital and were last listed in stable condition.”

The FBI’s statement said, “Weapons and a potential IED were located in the subject’s vehicle. Other potential IEDs were also located in the French Quarter. The FBI’s special agent bomb technicians are working with our law enforcement partners to determine if any of these devices are viable, and they will work to render those devices safe.”

Investigation into this incident is ongoing.

Recent incidents involving multiple tow trucks chasing, ramming, and even gunfire are concerning. Competition between tow truck drivers for the same tow has happened before.
Today: “A call came in of two tow trucks chasing and ramming into one another. 2 male Hispanics, one reported to have had a weapon. A squad car was on scene to witness the events.” There were at least four, maybe five, trucks involved.

Man, these accident chasers are really out here fighting over who gets to tow a ’98 Toyota Corolla—right in front of the cops. #chicagoscanner #chicago pic.twitter.com/iUU8hJX3MQ

— CHICAGO CRITTER (@ChicagoCritter) September 26, 2024

In January, “A tow truck driver opened fire on two competitors over a job, only to learn the hard way that the competitors were armed concealed-carry license holders, according to prosecutors.”

Then, in June, “Once the vehicles were stopped, the driver of the tow truck allegedly pulled out a gun, and the other driver, who has a valid concealed carry license (CCL), pulled out a gun and fired one shot, striking the tow truck driver.” (I’m not sure who was the guilty party in this one.)

It’s clear that the focus should be on individual responsibility rather than blaming the object used. Chicago has some of the strictest gun control laws in the country, and lawmakers can’t keep blaming the weapon.

I bet you’ve never seen a dog read his rights before the police questioned him, though.

I bet you’ve never seen a dog Mirandized before???? pic.twitter.com/Zx7wexGoUB

— no context memes (@weirddalle) September 22, 2024

Minrande Right Include

• Right to Remain Silent: “You have the right to remain silent.”
• Anything You Say Can Be Used Against You: “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”
• Right to an Attorney: “You have the right to an attorney.”
• Appointment of an Attorney if You Cannot Afford One: “If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.”

The warning is to ensure that whatever you say is voluntary, protecting your Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and your Sixth Amendment right to an attorney.

I bet for a dog treat, he would have given in and talked.

None of those arrested live locally, and here’s some information on 16 of them:

Sept – Jalen Littleton 19 Indiana
Sept – Darron Prince 36 Joliet
Sept – Ronald Richardson 34 Chicago
Oct – Cornelius Clark Jr 35 Chicago
Dec – Demarveus Butler 19 Michigan City (same incident)
Dec – Terrance Reed 27 Chicago (same incident)
Dec – Rubin Tart 24 Chicago (same incident)
Dec – Dequan J. Dent Davis 26 Calumet City
April – Leroy Slater 37 Hazel Crest
Feb – Antwan Donete Lee 31 Chicago
Feb – Joshua Ramon Menson 34 Gary
March –  Clarence Lamont Massey Jr. 24 Chicago
March –  Dijon Lane 34 Blue Island
March- Tavell Jackson 44 Maywood
July – Camarion Jai Cobbins 19 Huntsville, Alabama
July – Jeremy Boykins 36 East Chicago, Indiana

The city website lists Naperville, Illinois, as one of the safest cities in the nation.

“In 2022 and 2023, MoneyGeek named Naperville the safest city in America. In 2020, Naperville was ranked No. 1 on SafeWise’s America’s Safest Cities to Raise a Child report, which ranks safety by low property crimes, violent crimes, and the number of sex offenders.”

Illinois has some of the strictest firearm laws in the country, and a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card is required just to purchase ammunition.

Since none of these people live anywhere close, why pick this spot? Is it that great of a driving range….

As the robber is busy emptying the cash register, the customer jumps up and starts shooting, but his gun malfunctions. While he goes to clear it, the robber tries to shoot back, but luckily, the customer escapes.

Before she walks out, the girl takes the gun and the backpack from her boyfriend and leaves him there. The male died instantly, and the police later apprehended the female.

That’s one cold girlfriend.

You never know when a gun malfunction will occur, so your training should include clearing it. You can practice this at home, and although it isn’t as fun as putting rounds down range, it’s just as important.

This took place in Brazil in 2021, and the customer was an off-duty Brazilian military police officer, according to what I can find.

Good guy 2 – Bad couple 0

On Tuesday, they found the victim unharmed, and the Hillsboro police stated that the attack was not random because the suspect and victim knew each other. They arrested the man who took her and charged him with kidnapping but did not release his name or the victim’s name.

A Blink camera captured the incident, in which you can see a female yelling for help as a man was forcibly taking her to a pickup truck.

The woman didn’t put up much of a fight, and the last thing you ever want to do is let someone get you into their vehicle.

Ring and Blink cameras frequently miss the first part of the video because they do not buffer what’s being recorded, which is why you can’t see the woman until she’s already at the door. That’s one of the things that keeps those style cameras from being high on my list of home security options.

Is banning certain items like guns and knives the solution, or is cracking down on criminals the solution?

Yesterday’s mass stabbing was west of Chicago in Rockford, IL. It started with a home invasion, and when a “good Samaritan” stepped in, the attacker went to other homes in the neighborhood, continuing to stab people. Things might have turned out much differently if that good Samaritan had been armed.

No matter how many weapons you try to ban or regulate, criminals will find something to use. Bottles and other blunt objects are common, and we live in a world where almost anything can be turned into a weapon.

• There was over 4600 stabbings and slashings occurred in New York (not counting the number of crimes that resulted in no injuries) in 2023.
• In 2023, Chicago had over 27,000 violent crimes, with 2501 people shot and another 576 killed.
• Strong gun laws in England didn’t stop Wednesday’s attack. Last year, London had around 13,000 reported stabbings (36 per day). Two-thirds of the 103 homicides were stabbing-related.

The average age of an offender in the London homicides was in their 30s, and they were 40% black, 20% declined to define ethnicity (I would like to know how this category is possible), and 18% were white.

The stabbing victims were 43% white, 35% black, and 18% Asian.

This isn’t a gun issue; it’s a criminal issue.

A guy in a hoodie gets out of the Charger and tries to hide the rifle in his pants. Technically, I guess it may be a pistol, but it’s hard to measure the barrel length on the screen, and I get confused about what falls in what category, anyway.

@cpd1617scanner reported the vehicle was stolen and wanted in connection with shots being fired.

A man was caught on camera holding an AR-15 style rifle at 87th and Racine in #Chicago

The car was wanted after an incident where shots were fired. The car was also reported stolen.

This is the kind of artillery numerous gang members are running around with with in Chicago and… pic.twitter.com/2jCco46PAs

— 16th & 17th District Chicago Police Scanner (@CPD1617Scanner) March 12, 2024

Illinois has tightened its restrictions on what it considers assault weapons, yet, in the past year, the instances of this style of rifle being caught on camera appear to have gone up considerably.

I have a few questions:

• Do you think the guy registered the gun as required under Illinois law?
• Does he have a CCL or FOID?
• Were police allowed to go after them, considering Chicago’s no-pursuit policy?

My guess is that the car and the occupants are still wanted. If you don’t let the police do their jobs and go after law-abiding gun owners, this is what you get.