Police say an Air Force second lieutenant “acted heroically” when he drew a gun on a man who was stabbing his own brother during a fight in Austin, Arkansas, local ABC News affiliate KATV reports.
2nd Lt. Brandon Teel was driving through Austin on the evening of April 10 when he witnessed the altercation between 30-year-old Chris Terry, who was armed with a knife, and Terry’s brother, Darren Terry, 47.
“At first I thought it was two children playing,” Teel told KATV. “One of them fell down and almost fell into the street, and I was concerned, so I slowed my car down.”
Teel, who has a valid concealed-carry permit, decided to get out of his car when he grasped the severity of the fight.
“I quickly pulled out my concealed weapon, drew it on him, and said, ‘Stop what you’re doing, get down on the ground, or I’m going to shoot you,’” he said.
Teel then used his free hand to call 9-1-1 while holding the assailant at bay with his weapon until police arrived on the scene.
Darren Terry was taken to the hospital, where he is being treated for three lacerations. His brother was taken into custody for first-degree domestic battery and is being held in jail on a $10,000 bond.
Teel, 35, is an active-duty airman assigned to the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 189th Airlift Wing, located on Little Rock Air Force Base. He is now being credited with saving Darren’s life.
“Lt. Teel is a perfect example of a responsible concealed carry permit holder,” Austin police chief Bill Duerson told KATV. “He acted heroically in the face of extreme danger and avoided a tragedy.”