A Decatur, IL man legally carrying a firearm shot and wounded a convicted felon who opened fire on him during a bizarre early morning confrontation. The suspect, Telly C. Young, has a lengthy criminal history and now faces several new charges including attempted murder.

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DECATUR, IL (3-minute read) — A 67-year-old man legally carrying a concealed firearm defended himself during a harrowing early morning attack by a career criminal, according to Decatur police. The shooting happened on September 2nd in the 200 block of West Packard Street and ended with the assailant being seriously wounded after firing first.

Police say the alleged gunman, 48-year-old Telly C. Young, entered a storage building around dawn and confronted the owner, who was inside working on a lawnmower. According to a sworn affidavit, Young pointed a firearm and demanded to know the whereabouts of his sister, claiming he owned the building. He then fired three to four shots at the startled man.

But the man, a licensed concealed carry holder, drew his .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol and returned fire, striking Young in the chest and arm. The exchange ended with Young wounded and his firearm jammed. The intended victim disarmed him, ordered him outside, and then called 911.

Young was transported first to Decatur Memorial Hospital and later to Springfield Memorial for further treatment. Upon his release on September 8th, he was taken into custody and booked into the Macon County Jail on preliminary charges of attempted murder, being an armed habitual criminal, and several other firearm-related offenses.

Authorities report that Young has a lengthy and violent criminal history. He served 10 years for being an armed habitual criminal in 2017 and was paroled earlier this year. He also received two separate firearm possession convictions in 2004, resulting in a total of 14 years behind bars.

Court records show that Young has represented himself in past trials and was previously acquitted of certain charges, including aggravated battery with a firearm. Despite his past, his current charges are severe, and he was denied pretrial release. He is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on September 24.

Concealed Carry Saves Lives: A Defensive Gun Use Reminder

This case illustrates the crucial role that responsible gun ownership and proper training can play in self-defense situations. The intended victim was able to stop the threat with minimal risk to bystanders, a key tenet of concealed carry responsibility.

Safety Tip: Always know your state’s concealed carry and use-of-force laws before carrying a firearm. Responsible carry means being trained, aware, and prepared to act lawfully under stress.