Police can’t be everywhere all the time. That’s why an armed citizenry is still the best deterrent to violent crime.

Fox: “Police say it took Elisjsha Dicken just 15 seconds to neutralize a man who opened fire on shoppers at an Indiana mall; quick action they believe saved countless lives.

Close

Police say the gunman was armed with two rifles, a Glock pistol, and was carrying at least 100 rounds of ammunition with him. He killed three people before being quickly neutralized by Dicken, who began closing the distance on the shooter as he waved for bystanders to flee behind him.”

“The time lapse between the moment that Jonathan Sapirman exited the restroom and began shooting, and when he was shot by the civilian was only fifteen seconds, not two minutes,” Greenwood Police Chief James Ison said Tuesday. “The surveillance video shows Sapirman exit the restroom at 5:56:48pm. He was neutralized by Dicken at 5:57:03 pm.”

“There was a guy with his pistol held on the bathroom and I believe that guy to have possibly been the guy, to have shot the shooter,” said Mike Wright, a witness to the shooter.

“Investigators are still questioning the individual involved, but it appears that a Good Samaritan that was armed observed the shooting in progress and shot the shooter. I’m going to tell you, the real hero of the day was the citizen that was lawfully carrying a firearm in the food court and was able to stop the shooter almost as soon as he began,” Ison said.

“I am proud to serve as Eli Dickens’ attorney and spokesperson. He is a true American hero who saved countless lives during a horrific event that could have been so much worse if not for Eli’s courage, preparedness and willingness to protect others. Because we want to respect the on-going criminal investigation by the Greenwood Police Department and take time to honor the three innocent lives lost, we won’t be making any substantive comments on Sunday’s events until after the authorities’ investigation is closed. In the interim, we ask that you respect the privacy of Eli and his family,” said Dicken’s attorney Guy Relford.

“Our city, our community, and our state is grateful for his heroism in this situation,” said Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers. “He’s my brother,” Dicken’s brother Cameron told press on Tuesday. “And he’s an amazing kid and I’ve never been more proud of anyone in my entire life. What he did was selfless and amazing. And he did what he did because it was the right thing to do not for fame or glory but because he knew that he couldn’t just stand by and let it continue to happen.”

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

“The bravery of the armed individual who took action to stop the shooter undoubtedly saved lives, and for that I and many others are grateful,” said Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.