Defensive Gun Uses By People Legally Carrying Guns: 24 Cases During March 2026

Aug 24, 2026 | Defensive Gun Use

Harlingen, Texas, March 3, 2026 (ValleyCentral.com)

Deputies responded to the shooting at approximately 7:30 a.m. at the corner of FM 508 and FM 509…

Sanchez told deputies he was driving westbound on FM 508 with his two children when he passed two vehicles, nearly causing one of them to run off the road…

Sanchez told deputies that the two vehicles immediately began to follow him and signaled him to stop.

Sanchez further stated to deputies that both brothers began assaulting him when he pulled over and exited his truck.

Sanchez then retrieved his firearm from the center console and fired it as both brothers continued to assault him, according to the sheriff’s office…

No arrests have been made at this time.

Gabriela Gonzalez, “Sheriff identifies men in Harlingen road rage shooting,” ValleyCentral.com, March 4, 2026.

Georgetown County, South Carolina, March 3, 2026 (Live 5 News)

The incident occurred on Greentown Road in the McDonald Community around 1:20 p.m. Upon arrival, deputies located a male victim who suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was airlifted to a regional trauma center for further treatment.

Another man at the scene, who deputies believe to be the shooter, has been detained for questioning. Deputies said that his statement appears to be consistent with self-defense, according to sheriff spokesperson Heather Pelham…

P.J. Williams, “Man injured in Georgetown County shooting, 1 detained for questioning,” Live 5 News, March 3, 2026.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, March 4, 2026 (KRQE)

An Albuquerque man is in custody for his role in a shooting that left his friend dead. Police said that on March 4, Sean Martin and Jeremy Muñoz fired 14 shots at a Hummer along Aztec Road, north of Candelaria Road. Martin’s ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend were inside. No one was hurt, and the people in the Hummer went to a friend’s house. According to the criminal complaint, a passenger in the Hummer returned fire, hitting and killing Martin…

Jordan Honeycutt, “Albuquerque man charged for his role in shooting that left his friend dead,” KRQE, March 26, 2026.

Boca Raton, Florida, March 5, 2026 (CBS12 News)

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said that on Thursday at 10:12 a.m., they received multiple 911 calls regarding shots being fired in the area of 2209 South State Road 7 in Boca Raton…

According to the probable cause affidavit, the victim claimed that Guy and the other man confronted him as he was walking home from the Target shopping plaza and assaulted him, repeatedly punching him in the face.

During the struggle, the victim allegedly retrieved a firearm from his backpack and fired it in self-defense.

The Sheriff’s Office said that surveillance footage from the scene revealed Guy fleeing while discarding what deputies identified as Lewis’s stolen iPhone 13. He was also allegedly seen removing a firearm from a cross-body bag before being apprehended by deputies…

Guy has been accused of robbery with a firearm and a weapon offence.

Sophie Pendrill, “Man’s walk home from Boca Raton Target turns into shootout, cars and home hit by bullets,” CBS12 News, March 6, 2026.

Tucson, Arizona, March 5, 2026 (Arizona Daily Star)

The incident started about 7:20 p.m. when police were called to a crash in the 2100 block of N. Silverbell Road, south of West Grant Road. On the way, they were told a shooting also occurred, police said Friday in a news release.

Police say Juan F. Lopez caused a minor vehicle collision with an unidentified 31-year-old man on Silverbell Road.

“The two men know each other through acquaintances and encountered each other in the roadway,” the release said. “During the encounter, Mr. Lopez exited his vehicle and confronted the man, which led to shots being fired.”…

“After reviewing evidence at the scene and interviewing witnesses, no arrests were made,” the release said. “Detectives are continuing their investigation and will present their findings to the Pima County Attorney’s Office for review.”

Arizona Daily Star Staff, “Tucson man fatally shot after minor crash,” Arizona Daily Star, March 7, 2026.

Indianapolis, Indiana, March 7, 2026 (FOX 59)

Court documents filed in the case against Lamonte detail how an alleged random argument and subsequent fight in the early hours of Saturday, March 7, led to a shooting in the streets of downtown Indy.

The reported victim in the incident told police he and his girlfriend were walking to a bar when he spotted a man drinking a “double cup” in a nearby alley. He later said this is slang for a cup full of lean or cough syrup. He also said the man in the alley was staring at him.

The victim said the man began following him and his girlfriend, which led to an argument between them. When asked by the man if he could “throw hands or fight,” the victim reportedly said he “wasn’t about that” and lifted his shirt to reveal a gun in his waistband.

After this, court documents say the two went their separate ways. The victim told police that two random men, later identified as Lamonte and Jamar Thomas, then surprised him in the street a short time later.

The uncle and nephew reportedly attacked the man, with Lamonte tackling him to the ground near the intersection of East Washington and North Pennsylvania Street. Soon after, police were called to the scene on a report of shots fired…

The victim said both men began trying to grab for his waistband and take his gun, which caused him to reach for the gun and fire a shot in self-defense. The gunshot reportedly struck Jamar in the abdomen, causing him to roll off the victim…

Joe Schroeder, “Assault suspect dies weeks after alleged self-defense shooting in downtown Indy,” FOX 59, April 9, 2026.

Powder Springs, Georgia, March 8, 2026 (WSB-TV)

Police said officers went to the park around 9:22 p.m. Sunday in response to someone being shot…

According to Powder Springs police, the woman, later identified as Tiffanie Witehrspoon, told them she feared for her life and thought she was in danger, causing her to shoot Liddwell.

Police told Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell that Witherspoon told officers she thought Liddwell was going to attack her.

The two were near the women’s bathroom when the shooting happened, near the concession stand…

Currently, no charges have been filed and no one has been arrested…

Michele Newell, WSB-TV Cobb County Bureau Chief and WSBTV.com News Staff, “Woman shoots, kills man near park concession stand; says she feared for life,” WSB-TV, March 10, 2026.

Athens, Georgia, March 10, 2026 (Classic City News)

Police said that the incident happened on March 10th at the couple’s home on Marlin Street, where officers responded on reports by neighbors of hearing gunfire.

The 46-year-old victim told the officers that she and her husband had been arguing when Mulligan punched her in the face, and threw her to the ground, where he choked and raped her…

She was eventually able to call her son, police said, and when he arrived Mulligan met him outside and pointed a pistol at him.

The victim’s son then pulled out his own gun and fired in self-defense, sending a round just above Mulligan’s head.

Mulligan retreated back into the house then fled through a side door into the woods, where officers later found and arrested him…

Joe Johnson, “Athens man indicted for allegedly raping wife,” Classic City News, July 27, 2026.

Hopkinsville, Kentucky, March 10, 2026 (WHVO Radio, WKDZ Radio)

Two people showed up at the hospital after a shooting on East 13th Street at the intersection of Broad Street on Tuesday morning…

After further investigation, Police say Brown was arrested on Thursday on Glass Avenue and charged with second-degree assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and first-degree wanton endangerment in connection with the shooting.

Police have not released the name of the other person injured in the shooting or an update on his condition, but police say they believe the other man was acting in self-defense…

Prosecutors further allege Brown fired a gun that created a substantial risk of death or serious injury to four people…

News Edge Newsroom, “Two Injured In Tuesday Morning Hopkinsville Shooting,” WHVO Radio, March 10, 2026.
News Edge Newsroom, “Man Charged In Connection To East 13th Street Shooting,” WKDZ Radio, April 6, 2026.
News Edge Newsroom, “Oak Grove Man Indicted on Assault Charges from February Traffic Crash,” WKDZ Radio, June 9, 2026.

Akron, Ohio, March 11, 2026 (News 5 Cleveland)

Police were called to East Tallmadge Avenue at Route 8 South around 12:15 a.m. Wednesday on reports of a shooting.

Murphy called the shooting a case of road rage. He said two brothers, 15 and 17, were aggressively driving and tailgating a 28-year-old driver.

According to police, the 28-year-old man and his girlfriend were driving on East Tallmadge Avenue when a 15-year-old boy pulled up next to his vehicle and fired shots.

Police said the 28-year-old man returned fire and struck a 17-year-old boy who was in the car with his 15-year-old brother…

“It appears as though this was a self-defense shooting as he (the 28-year-old) was responding to shooting back at a vehicle that had fired shots at him,” Murphy said…

Courtney Shaw, Bob Jones, and Mercy Sackor, “17-year-old dies; 15-year-old arrested after alleged road rage shooting,” News 5 Cleveland, March 12, 2026.

Indianapolis, Indiana, March 13, 2026 (FOX 59)

Just after 8 p.m. Friday, near 32nd and Central Avenue, a fight in the street erupted into gunfire that put multiple lives at risk…

That neighbor asked not to be identified, but claims 21-year-old Caleb Evans caused the disturbance and instigated the shooting by getting a gun out of his car and firing the first shots…

“The guy that got shot that’s in the hospital now, he saved all of us. The boy (Evans) that came out, he left and came back and got in his car and came out of his car with a pistol and started shooting at everybody,” said a second witness who also asked not to be identified.

Multiple witnesses insist that the surviving victim had every right to return fire, defending himself and others.

“If it wasn’t for him, we probably would all be dead,” said the first neighbor. “I’m sorry that he got shot as well, but he protected us, and if it wasn’t for him, we all would be dead.”

Although the death has been ruled a homicide, police reports show it remains unsolved, and no one has been arrested for the killing…

Jesse Wells, “Witnesses claim shooting that left 21-year-old dead on near north side was justified,” FOX 59, March 18, 2026.

Orangeburg, South Carolina, March 13, 2026 (Live 5 News)

The arrest warrant alleges that a woman who was a passenger in the vehicle with her son saw a man wearing a black mask approach their vehicle as they were leaving the Valero gas station that morning on March 13 during an attempted robbery on Magnolia Street.

He then allegedly fired multiple shots into the vehicle, and the woman’s son returned fire at Fairey…

Deputies detained him following the robbery attempt, and he was taken to the hospital…

P.J. Williams, “Orangeburg man hospitalized, charged after allegedly shooting into occupied car,” Live 5 News, March 24, 2026.

Nashville, North Carolina, March 14, 2026 (WRAL News, WITN First Alert)

Nashville police said it happened around 8:12 p.m. Saturday in front of a laundromat along East Washington Street near East Church Street…

Video footage determined one of the women approached the other outside the laundromat and started assaulting her, according to the police. It led to a fight.

During the fight, police said an adult and a girl got involved and shots were fired…

After speaking with the district attorney, officers determined the shooting was in self-defense, with Michelle Murphy as the aggressor. She was charged with misdemeanor assault inflicting serious injury…

WRAL Staff, “Two people charged after girl shot in the leg, Nashville police say,” WRAL News, March 16, 2026.
WITN Web Team, “Woman arrested after Nashville laundromat shooting leaves underage girl injured,” WITN First Alert, March 17, 2026.

Jasper, Georgia, March 17, 2026 (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Nicholas “Nic” Crews, 34, worked as a social work case manager at the Jasper facility, the GBI said Thursday. The Marietta man was critically wounded when, officials said, Lawrence Charles Michels, 51, of Jasper, opened fire during a walk-in mental health consultation inside the facility.

Michels was killed outside the clinic during a shootout with police and an armed bystander, the GBI said.

“After shooting the employee, Michels exited the clinic and encountered police officers and an armed civilian,” the GBI said in a news release. “Michels was armed with a handgun and exchanged gunfire with the officers and the civilian.”…

No one else was injured during the midday shooting, which terrified shoppers inside an adjacent thrift store…

Shaddi Abusaid, “Social worker dies after shooting at Jasper VA clinic, GBI says,” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 19, 2026.

Shreveport, Louisiana, March 17, 2026 (KTAL News)

Police have responded to a shooting death near Mansfield Road in Shreveport, where a man says he was defending himself against an alleged robber…

Police say they received a call from a man who informed them that he had shot Jones multiple times after Jones allegedly attempted to rob him.

As the investigation progressed, detectives say they learned that the two knew each other and had a history of prior verbal arguments, which this time, escalated into a physical confrontation…

The shooter then allegedly retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and returned fire, striking Jones several times, resulting in his death…

The Shreveport Police Department says early findings indicate the self-defense claim may be true; however, the department will continue investigating and review all surveillance footage…

Erykah Agers, “Body identified after one found shot in an O’Reilly parking lot,” KTAL News, March 19, 2026.

Chicago, Illinois, March 18, 2026 (ABC7 Chicago)

The shooting happened around 3:36 p.m. in the 11700 block of South Normal Avenue in West Pullman, Chicago police said.

A 27-year-old man was approached by a 16-year-old boy who pulled out a gun and attempted to rob him, police said. The man took out a handgun of his own and shot the teen suspect in the chest…

Police did bring the 27-year-old man in for questioning, but as of Wednesday evening no charges have been filed….

ABC7 Chicago Digital Team, “Robbery victim shoots, kills armed 16-year-old suspect in West Pullman, Chicago police say,” ABC7 Chicago, March 18, 2026.

Las Vegas, Nevada, March 23, 2026 (FOX 5 Vegas)

Officers responded to a Dollar Tree near Craig Road and Decatur Boulevard around 7:34 a.m. on Monday after receiving reports of an incident that included a citizen’s arrest.

Investigators allege 45-year-old Shawn Handley made threats before driving a tan 2011 Buick LaCrosse through the front of the store. Police say he then pursued a woman, identified in the report as his wife and the store manager, through the store before allegedly stabbing her multiple times…

The couple’s son was also interviewed under juvenile procedures and told police his mother called him about threats. He said he rode to the store with a Glock in a satchel, saw his father drive into the Dollar Tree, and fired into/at the vehicle to protect his mother. He said he then found his mother injured, then chased and shot at his father outside until his gun was empty, then left the area before being stopped by police, according to the report…

Martha Cruz, “REPORT: Suspect claims crash, stabbing at Dollar Tree were ‘accidental’,” FOX 5 Vegas, March 25, 2026.

Houston, Texas, March 24, 2026 (Click2Houston.com)

Officers with the North Belt division responded around 2 p.m. to the 12800 block of Airline Drive near Aldine Bender Road after reports of a robbery.

HPD Lt. Larry Crowson said two masked men wearing hoodies entered the store and began stealing jewelry from employees…

During the robbery, a female customer yelled at the suspects and followed them outside.

Police said the woman was armed, and a shootout broke out between her and the suspects in the parking lot. Authorities said it remains unclear who fired first…

Michael Horton and Corley Peel, “Woman injured in shootout with masked robbers at north Houston pawn shop,” Click2Houston.com, March 25, 2026.

Houston, Texas, March 25, 2026 (ABC 13)

Two suspects were shot after allegedly burglarizing a business in southwest Houston Wednesday morning, according to the Houston Police Department.

The scene unfolded in the city’s Sunnyside area off Reed Road near Duane Street…

According to investigators, the owner was on his way to work when he received a notification on his phone that the building’s metal gate was open…

The owner said he arrived and saw the two suspects inside, who then approached him, before shots were fired, HPD said…

ABC 13 Staff, “Man shoots two suspects in SW Houston, claims they broke into his business Wednesday morning: HPD,” ABC 13, March 25, 2026.

Los Lunas, New Mexico, March 26, 2026 (News-Bulletin)

After an investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Nicholas Gurule, 25, of Los Lunas, who is charged with aggravated assault with a firearm towards a vehicle and shooting from a vehicle. His location is unknown as of Tuesday, March 31, and LLPD advises he is armed and dangerous…

According to the criminal complaint, Gurule exchanged gunfire with the driver of a white passenger vehicle while stopped at a red light at the intersection of Main Street and N.M. 47. No charges have been filed against the driver of the white vehicle at this time…

Kenn Rodriguez and Julia M. Dendinger, “Two charged in road rage incident, one still at large,” News-Bulletin, April 2, 2026.

Evansville, Indiana, March 26, 2026 (14 News)

Nearly a dozen 911 calls came in about the shooting Thursday evening at Village Green Apartments…

Police say the couple followed 62-year-old David Milan after he punched the husband in the face.

They say Milan fired several shots at the couple, and one of them returned fire, hitting Milan…

The couple was not charged.

Jill Lyman and Barbara Bellinger, “Listen: Road rage shooting captured on 911 call,” 14 News, March 27, 2026.

Hanover, Maryland, March 28, 2026 (FOX 5 Washington DC)

Police were called to the Burlington Coat Factory at the mall around 5 p.m. for reports of shots fired. An adult man told officers he was leaving the store when several people approached and began assaulting him. During the struggle, the victim tried to draw his handgun, and the suspects attempted to take it. Police say the gun discharged during the fight, striking one of the suspects…

The three suspects face robbery, assault and related charges. The victim in the incident suffered non‑life‑threatening injuries, police say. Two suspects were treated for injuries from the crash, and the third was treated for the gunshot wound from the initial altercation.

Officers recovered the victim’s handgun in the Burlington parking lot and his phone near Route 100 and Oakwood Road in Glen Burnie. The investigation remains ongoing.

Sam Kosmas, “3 suspects identified after alleged Arundel Mills Mall attack and chase, police say,” FOX 5 Washington DC, March 30, 2026.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, March 28, 2026 (WBRZ)

A Baton Rouge man was arrested Sunday for allegedly shooting at a family gathering on Sycamore Street…

A victim told detectives that 25-year-old Zachariah Smith drove past his home and fired shots at his family, who was gathered in front of the residence, documents show. The victim told police that he shot back at Smith.

Another victim, a woman, told police Smith had sent her death threats the day before the shooting, according to arrest documents.

Smith was arrested and booked on charges of attempted first-degree murder, domestic abuse aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a person convicted of domestic abuse and illegal use of weapons…

WBRZ Staff, “Man arrested for allegedly shooting at family gathering on Sycamore Street, sending one to hospital,” WBRZ, April 13, 2026.

North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, March 29, 2026 (WXII 12)

The North Wilkesboro Police Department said Isaiah Clayton Owens, 18, of North Wilkesboro, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, among other charges.

The police department said the shooting occurred near Smoot Park on Sunday at 2:45 p.m. near the 200 block of Chestnut Street.

Witnesses told police that a man in a blue Toyota Highlander drove by the skate park multiple times and fired a gun out of the vehicle’s window. Police said another man at the skate park returned fire. One of the men received treatment at Atrium Wilkes Medical Center for a gunshot wound. Police said they located the suspect’s vehicle, which had multiple bullet holes on Fairmount Drive in North Wilkesboro…

Carrie Hodgin, Rebecca Smith, and Michael Pardee, “18-year-old charged in connection with shooting near Smoot Park in North Wilkesboro,” WXII 12, March 30, 2026.

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