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CHICAGO, IL — A concealed carry license holder opened fire on two armed robbers Tuesday morning in the West Loop after witnessing them assault and rob a woman at gunpoint, according to the Chicago Police Department.

The incident occurred around 8:45 a.m. in the 1100 block of West Hubbard Street. A 38-year-old woman was reportedly standing outside when two armed male suspects approached, demanded her belongings, and struck her in the head. They made off with her possessions.

Nearby, a 41-year-old man with a valid Illinois concealed carry license saw the robbery unfold and chose to intervene. According to police, the man confronted the suspects, who then pointed their firearms at him. In response, the man drew his own weapon and fired shots. None of the individuals involved were struck by the gunfire.

The suspects fled the scene in a black Lexus sedan bearing stolen New Jersey license plates. The woman declined medical attention, and no other injuries were reported. No arrests have been made as of this writing, and area detectives continue to investigate.

This incident highlights both the potential value and inherent danger of armed intervention in violent crimes. The concealed carry holder acted with courage and possibly prevented further harm to the victim. However, confronting two armed suspects carries extreme risk—particularly when they still have the tactical advantage.

According to the sequence of events shared by police, the man approached the suspects, prompting them to aim their weapons at him. Only then did he draw and fire. This scenario could easily have ended differently had the suspects chosen to shoot first. In such situations, the moment a gun is raised at you may be too late to react effectively.

This is not to criticize the man’s decision—he made a split-second call under pressure—but it underscores the importance of scenario-based mental preparation for concealed carriers. Armed citizens must constantly run through these kinds of situations mentally: What would I do here? What are the risks? What is the safest and most effective way to intervene, if at all?

Being armed does not guarantee safety. It is a tool that requires judgment, restraint, and preparation. When confronting multiple armed suspects, tactical retreat, calling 911, or providing a description may sometimes be the wisest course of action unless there is an imminent and unavoidable threat to life.