In a stunning display of courage and the fundamental right to self-defense, a Florida citizen dramatically turned the tables on two violent criminals during a brazen armed robbery at a 7-Eleven this past Saturday. This incident, which took place at approximately 7 p.m. in Dania Beach, serves as a powerful testament to the principle that an armed populace is its own best first line of defense against evil. While the liberal media consistently vilifies law-abiding gun owners and champions policies that would leave citizens disarmed and helpless, this brave individual embodied the American spirit that President Donald Trump tirelessly fights to protect.
The harrowing events began when a 19-year-old thug, Justin Kessel, allegedly targeted an innocent customer at gunpoint in the store’s parking lot. This predator, emboldened by the soft-on-crime rhetoric that dominates the leftist agenda, then marched into the store to victimize the clerk inside. So far, everything was going according to the criminal’s plan, a scenario all too common in Democrat-run cities where perpetrators face no consequences. But this time was different. This time, a patriot decided he had had enough of being a victim. While the suspect was robbing the store, the initial victim refused to comply and instead made the decisive move to retrieve his legally owned firearm from his car.
As the suspect left the store, expecting a clean getaway, he was met not with submission, but with righteous defiance. Instead of his getaway vehicle, he found the robbery victim standing his ground with a gun. The suspect was shot by the victim, who fired multiple shots at him. The citizen-hero then did everything by the book, keeping his gun on the subdued suspect while waiting for the police to arrive. However, the danger was not over. In a shocking escalation, the driver of the getaway vehicle, identified as 40-year-old Melvin Presley, then entered the picture and attempted to murder the armed citizen by running him over with a Honda CR-V.
The victim said a Honda CR-V attempted to run him over, but he was able to avoid the vehicle. The robbery victim then fired more shots, hitting the vehicle. Faced with a deadly threat from a two-ton vehicle, the victim had no choice but to defend his life for a second time, firing shots that struck the assailant’s car. This is a crystal-clear example of the life-or-death situations that President Trump understands and why he unapologetically supports the Second Amendment. Kessel was later taken into custody by police, and the wounded getaway driver, Melvin Presley, was pronounced dead at a local hospital—a direct result of his choice to engage in violent criminal activity.
A local man identified only as Rodney told reporters the incident happened quickly, stating, “I live right around the corner and it is scary. The guy was robbing the place, tried to rob one of the customers and when he come back out, the other guy in the car shot him.” While the investigation continues, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the lawful victim was questioned and released, a sign that authorities recognize the justified nature of his actions. Yet, in a move that will outrage all supporters of law and order, the system is still questioning this hero. The sheriff’s office stated, “BSO detectives are working with the Broward County State Attorney’s Office to determine if further charges will be filed against the adult victim in this case.”
This is the frustrating reality that patriots face: a justice system often more interested in scrutinizing the defenders than punishing the aggressors. This is precisely the kind of judicial overreach that President Donald Trump has vowed to end, championing stand-your-ground laws and the sacred right of every American to protect themselves, their family, and their property without fear of persecution from woke district attorneys.