CCL holder shoots attempted armed robber at Orland Park gas station

A Concealed Carry License holder shot an armed person during an attempted robbery at a gas station in Orland Park on Tuesday morning, police said.

Orland Park Police said a person was pumping gas at a Shell station in the 15100 block of Harlem Avenue around 9 a.m. when another person attempted an armed robbery.

Surveillance cameras caught video of a man dressed in black with a mask and a gun walking to a set of pumps where another man was already putting gas into his Acura on the driver's side. The would-be thief approaches with a gun, but the car owner puts his right hand to his back waistband for a moment, then pulls out a gun of his own and fires. The would-be thief falls to the ground before running away.

Police said the target does have a valid Illinois CCL.

"We hope nobody comes across this situation, but just in case this ever happens, they are able to defend themselves. So it's really important. It's really nice to see that guy defend himself in the way that everybody should be able to, too," Elmosa said.

"I was kind of shocked because, you know, the area's pretty nice, so I didn't think anything like that would happen in the area that I live in, but unfortunately, you never know," said Lakeisha Ajala, who was parked at the red light by the gas station.

She heard the shots and said she saw a masked man running and limping but didn't know what to make of the situation. She also said she was glad to know the car driver was a trained CCL holder, and that police were quick to respond.

Orland Park police said they caught the would-be thief and took him to a local hospital for treatment in an unknown condition. An investigation is ongoing; charges have not yet been announced, nor is it known if any are pending.

Police said a nearby school was also informed of the incident, but not put on lockdown.