This week’s Good Guy with a Gun story is a reminder that danger doesn’t always look like a masked burglar — sometimes, it shows up pretending to wear a badge.
On June 15th, Houston-area business owner Javier Reyes found himself staring down the barrel of a gun held by a man claiming to be law enforcement. What unfolded outside his family’s liquor store was a terrifying confrontation that ended with Reyes defending himself and his wife against an armed robber impersonating a federal marshal.
The Setup: “I’m the Police. Get on the Floor.”
It was a normal evening at the corner of Gessner and Harriet in Houston, where Javier and his wife were wrapping up their shift at the liquor store they own. Javier stepped outside to take out the trash when a red car pulled up and a masked man exited quickly, wearing a tactical-style vest labeled “Marshal.”
With a flashlight in one hand and a gun in the other, the man shouted, “I’m the police! Get on the floor!” Reyes was caught off guard. Unsure whether he was dealing with real law enforcement or something far worse, he complied at first. But it didn’t take long for the suspect to reveal his true intentions.
“It’s a Robbery. I’m Not the Police.”
As Reyes lay on the ground, the man admitted it was a robbery. That’s when the situation went from uncertain to crystal clear. The masked suspect held Reyes at gunpoint and demanded his valuables — even placing the barrel of the gun to his head and saying, “I can kill you right now.”
What the robber didn’t know was that Javier’s wife was watching everything from inside the store. And she wasn’t going to let her husband go down without a fight.
The Turnaround: A Quick Draw from Inside
In a moment of clarity and courage, Reyes’ wife grabbed a firearm from inside the store and came out to confront the suspect. Startled and exposed, the armed robber panicked. He lost his shoes, dropped his gun, and bolted back toward the red getaway car.
That gave Javier just enough time to recover and draw his own weapon. As the suspect scrambled toward the car, Reyes fired multiple rounds. At least one of the bullets struck the fleeing assailant, who managed to crawl into the vehicle as Reyes fired a final shot at the departing car.
The Aftermath: Praise from Police, and a Reminder for All of Us
The suspect later turned up at a hospital with a gunshot wound. As of the time of reporting, no charges had been filed — but police confirmed the investigation is ongoing. They also told Reyes he “did a great job,” which is notable considering how often legal questions surround the use of deadly force, especially when shots are fired during a suspect’s retreat.
Fortunately, both Javier and his wife were unharmed.
But as Reyes shared in his interview with local media, the experience shook him: “I say no, and he put the gun in my head and told me, ‘I can kill you right now.’”
It’s a chilling reminder of how quickly violence can come knocking — and how critical it is to be mentally and physically prepared to respond.
Takeaway Lessons
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Impersonators Are Real Threats: Just because someone says they’re law enforcement doesn’t make it true. Tactical vests, badges, and even fake sirens can be easily purchased online. Trust your instincts — and know your rights.
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Teamwork and Awareness Save Lives: Reyes’ wife played a crucial role in this outcome. Her awareness, bravery, and willingness to act turned the tables when seconds mattered most.
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Retreat Doesn’t Always Mean Safe: While the suspect began to flee, he was still a threat. He was armed, had threatened lethal force, and was heading back to a getaway car that may have held accomplices. Reyes' decision to fire during the escape will likely be judged in light of the totality of circumstances — including the extreme threat just seconds before.
Secure Your Home, Secure Your Peace of Mind
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