Maricopa County, Arizona, may be infamous because of its sheriff, Joe Arpaio, but it could gain another reputation with concealed-carry supporters after it’s now been revealed police officers in the city of Glendale have submitted charges to the county attorney against a former Marine who intervened in an armed robbery last Friday.
Charges Submitted Against Former Marine Who Opened Fire on Robbery Suspects Outside of Arizona Sears
Michael and Shaashana Hough (Source: KSAZ-TV screen shot)
As ThBlaze previously reported, the former Marine was in the parking lot of Arrowhead Towne Center, which includes the Sears that Michael and Shaashana Hough tried stealing a power drill from. When a loss prevention officer confronted the couple near the door, Shaashana pulled out a gun. That’s when the Marine, now identified as 61-year-old Mervin Brewer, took notice. That’s also when he saw his 64-year-old wife coming out of the same exit.
Brewer, KNXV-TV reports, feared for the life of the officer and his wife and engaged the Houghs, firing four shots. Shaashana dropped the gun and the couple sped away on a motorcycle, only to be caught later.
Upon further investigation, Shaashana’s gun ended up being a toy that was painted to remove the orange indicator. She claims she keeps it to protect herself on the streets and that the couple was only stealing the tool so they could sell it for food.
Now police say Brewer could be charged with a felony depending on how the district attorney decides to proceed. According to the Associated Press, police submitted a felony charge of unlawful discharge of a firearm.
Surveillance video released Wednesday shows the Houghs trying to make their getaway, and Brewer stepping out of his truck — gun in hand — after opening fire:
Charges Submitted Against Former Marine Who Opened Fire on Robbery Suspects Outside of Arizona Sears
(Source: Surveillance video via KPHO-TV)
Charges Submitted Against Former Marine Who Opened Fire on Robbery Suspects Outside of Arizona Sears
(Source: Surveillance video via KPHO-TV)
Charges Submitted Against Former Marine Who Opened Fire on Robbery Suspects Outside of Arizona Sears
Mervin Brewer (Source: KPHO-TV screen shot)
You can watch the video as well as hear some of the 911 calls below via KPHO-TV:
No person was struck when Brewer fired, and the Houghs have been charged with “several felonies.”