LEGALLY ARMED CITIZEN STOPS MASS SHOOTING AT TEXAS WALMART

'I Chose To Not Be A Victim': Decatur Native Credited With Stopping Texas Mass Shooting by Man Armed With AK-47

WESLACO, Texas (WAND) – A Decatur native is being called a hero in plain clothes after his Army background kicked in.

"I choose to not be a victim,” John Allen, of Mercedes, Texas, said.

It was Monday, Aug. 17 as the 1981 Stephen Decatur High School graduate arrived at the Walmart in Weslaco.

“I just didn't want him to kill innocent people,” Allen said as recounted seeing a man walking into the store dressed in black and carrying an AK-47.

While most would retreat and call 911 seeing something like that, not knowing what the man’s intentions were, Allen was not about to stand back. He jumped into action.

"We have open carry in Texas, but you don’t carry an AK-47,” he said.

He placed his .45 automatic in his holster and made his way toward the gunman with a message for him.

"You're not going to shoot anyone in this store today,” he said. “I'm not going to let that happen."

Allen held the man a gunpoint with a store security guard. His actions led to the man putting down the gun.