Do you feel safer knowing this guy is on patrol?

KTVQ News: Armed citizen fires gun in an attempt to stop shoplifters at Rimrock Mall (Video)

BILLINGS - Shots rang out in the Rimrock Mall parking lot as a man attempted to stop two shoplifters Saturday evening.

The two suspects, a male and female, were in the process of shoplifting when they were confronted by another man in the parking lot who told the suspects they could not leave, according to police.

The citizen attempted to block the suspects in by standing behind the vehicle around 7:30 p.m. near JCPenny. "The citizen was open-carrying a sidearm and told the suspects if they tried to run him over he would shoot them," said Sgt. Matthew Chaney.

Chaney stated the suspects attempted to back into the citizen who pulled his sidearm and fired several shots into the tires of the vehicle.  The vehicle still fled the scene.

Police said the suspects were driving a 2009 black Buick Enclave. The shoplifting suspects have not been identified at this time.

Meanwhile, the citizen who fired the shots was questioned at the scene and released, Chaney reported.

No one was injured in the altercation and the investigation is continuing.

At least Barney Fife only had one bullet kept in his pocket.

Good point, but technically it was Gomer who "citizen's arrested" Barney.

That was after Barney arrested Gomer if I remember correctly.

Yeah, Barney gave Gomer a ticket for an illegal U-turn then proceeded to make his own illegal U-turn. Gomer was all over that business.

Just knowing there are people about, ready and willing to spray a few rounds about in the name of law and order,makes me feel much safer. I'm just glad I don't sport a more swarthy complexion, lest I be asked to "Go back to my own country".

Remember, shoplifted crap is more valuable than a human life. At least, crap is more important than life to gun nuts.

Billings Gazette: Should he have opened fire? Investigation continues into citizen's arrest case at Rimrock Mall