Authorities in Charleston, West Virginia, are hailing the brave and decisive actions of an armed female who they say “prevented a mass casualty event.”
The incident began last Wednesday when folks at a birthday party asked 37-year-old Dennis Butler to slow down after they claimed he was speeding through a parking lot where there were children at play.
Butler, a two-time convicted felon, was allegedly enraged by the request. He would return a short while later, armed with an AR-pattern rifle.
When Butler pulled back up, he began firing at the crowd of partygoers.
Police say that’s when the quick-acting citizen returned fire and fatally shot the attacker.
“This lady was carrying a lawful firearm,” Lt. Tony Hazelett with the Charleston Police Department told local media.
“A law abiding citizen who stopped the threat of probably 20 or 30 people getting killed. She engaged the threat and stopped it,” he continued. “She didn’t run from the threat, she engaged it. Preventing a mass casualty event here in Charleston.”
SEE ALSO: New FBI Report: Armed Citizens Stopped Active Shooters in 2021
The woman, who has not been identified, had no formal police or military training, police said.
“She’s just a member of the community who was carrying her firearm lawfully, and instead of running from the threat, she engaged with the threat and saved several lives last night,” said Lt. Hazelett.
“She did the right thing. I don’t know if any other person would have done that,” he added.
Butler was no stranger to law enforcement. Along with his two felonies, he was accused of pistol-whipping a 19-year-old woman in 2016.
However, those charges were dismissed because no witnesses came forward to testify, reports local news affiliate WRAL.com.
Butler, as mentioned, did not survive the encounter. He died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.
Police are still investigating how Butler, a prohibited person under federal law, obtained the firearm.
The armed citizen stayed at the scene following the incident and is cooperating with investigators, police said. She will not face any charges as all signs suggest her use of force was justified.
Stay tuned for updates.
guns America Mods, Really?! You denied my post bc I spoke against the cops- the biggest murderers of innocent Americans?
First off, I am an avid gun-loving, CONSERVATIVE, Christian American and very patriotic- I bleed Red, White and Blue! But, I also speak the truth. And, apparently, ga can’t handle a bit of truth. I’m glad I’ve never purchased any guns from you now- or anything else.
Oh! And I’m white. Must be too much American and truth for you folks. Well, good bye and good riddance!
Buh-bye Larry.
then leave
Very happy that this legally armed citizen stopped a potentially devastating attack on unprotected citizens. As we recently learned, for the second time, police officers are not required to put themselves in the line of fire even where the potential victims are very tender aged children. Wake up America, the cops on tv rush the shooter because it’s dramatic. Can you imagine a hour program where they hide behind vehicles while the shooter kills unprotected individuals? It ain’t real life, it’s tv! The police do not usually prevent crimes, but they do investigate them safely after the fact. Maybe we should arm firefighters, who like other heroes, go toward the trouble! Protect yourself and your family because there is no help on the way, and even if it is it will be too late.
Wrong! Guns aren’t made to kill people. 99.99% of firearms are not used in crimes, let alone killing people. A manufacturer of a legal product should not be liable for the misuse of that product. My guns are here to hunt with and to protect my family. I don’t want the cost of firearms and ammunition to double because the liberals just want the cost to go up for the manufacturers.
Gee, a felon who has a firearm illegally. He didn’t obey the law. What a shock!!
Another incident avoided by the National media that clearly justifies the right to bear arms
I’m going to bet she wasn’t carrying a weapon holding the desired by tyrants 5 round feeding device.
I guess the media is waiting for someone to shoot up a paroled felon/crack dealer convention and kill 19 violent predator criminals in one location, before it is deemed newsworthy. As it is, this type of scum is dispatched on a daily basis, but the only use the media have for those events is to count them among “victims of gun violence” statistics.
It all boils down to one thing that libs refuse to acknowledge,,, laws only affect the law abiding, criminals are criminals because they disregard the law
Libs? Not sure I think I would want to take advice from someone who calls a fellow American a “Lib”
You are What’s wrong with this country and one of the reasons why we are being divided more and more each day by politicians ans people like you that believe in all of their fear mongering…. This is not the country I wanna raise my kids up in that’s for shure
Hahahahaaha. Typical lib response. Find another “hobby,” Karen.
HAHA!!! Outstanding. I needed a good laugh today.
So William, are you preaching that same idea to those “Libs”??
You know, the ones that started calling us Nazi’s and baby killers and supremacists and “Basket of Deplorables” and so on?
I mean, if you’re gonna become incensed at a name like “libs” then surely you hound those who call us those other names, eh?
Did you send a tersely written note to Hillary? Or Obama?
Betcha didn’t.
We shouldn’t mince words; “Libs” is just polite for America haters.
Imagine if the Uvalde police had the same type of courage this woman did?
First I’ve heard of this story. The liberal msm covers up these stories because they don’t align with their vile narrative. Pathetic.
WHY are there so many parrots ‘we sure won’t see this on MSM!’
No, probably not.
Are you forwarding it to them?
There has to be some news they don’t get, purely because it doesn’t appear in their services; they really don’t
have an all encompassing network of eyes and ears. No matter what the leanings, left or right, they are little more than messengers.
Perfect example; any hour any day on Truth Social; find some account organizing ballot box stakeouts, which should be Priority #1. November, even the current run-ups are in the wings already.
Instead it’s mostly facebook grade trash – time spent on memes or trendy phrases, elegant recipes using elective ingredients gathered on $5 gas, loads of 2A hoo-hah, golf, fishing, pro-sports, lots of idle banter, some flame-wars, and volumes of meaningless religious hopes.
It’s VERY possible Truth Social has it’s own share of ‘bots to cloud some manner of progress, planted by external forces though, not internal like seems the case with twitter [shoring up liberal nonsense].
BS. Tell me which of those will guarantee a secure election, or re-establish our country’s good name.
Wake up now, cause you’ll oversleep the alarm.
Why doesn’t this appear on national news?? It looks like national news is firmly in the “president’s” pocket!
I can understand why the mass shootings are way overplayed but none or very little publication of “good guy” news. This kind of “unbiased” reporting just gives the Liberals more gun control ammo. The government of all kinds, County, State and National should be in the business of enforcing existing gun laws already in the books!!
Best thing is a woman took him out because of the equalizer that is a gun. Good riddance to bad human rubbish.
Many different scenarios for shootings (not going to call them Mass shootings cause that term is getting abused) For adults shooting like this its hard to stop other than this case counter balance. For schools and kids simple locks and restrictions would work. An AR style rifle should not be classified as a hunting rifle. Only bolt action rifles should be.
I disagree with your comment only bolt action rifles should be used for hunting, it’s the choice of the hunter, I use a 12ga browning auto shotgun when hunting duck and geese!!!! Live and let live I say!!!!
I use my ARs to eradicate feral hogs in Texas. It’s a very efficient tool for that purpose.
People may hunt with whatsoever tools are allowed by law. I’ve seen people kill wild boar with only a dagger and others obliterate sitting game birds with the most powerful firearms around. It is NOT your place to decide how firearms are classified. Just because you may not hunt with an AR, hardly negates the fact that thousands of other people do… not to mention lever guns, pump guns, various single-shot designs, and conventional auto-loaders. Do everyone a favor and educate yourself before commenting on topics you obviously do not understand.
Well done lady need more like you
One less democrat.
Bet he still votes though.
The people who feel guns should be banned need to visit Australia for at least 2 weeks. I was there for 3 weeks back in 2011. It can be scary there if you listen to the news! For me, I was warned the moment I arrived at my hotel. I had a gold chain around my neck, 14K. As I was unloading suitcases, this cute looking lady was waving at me. She was sitting on the outdoor patio at the pub next to the hotel. No, she didn’t wave because I was going to get lucky. After taking my belongings up to my room, I went to the pub and spoke with her. She told me to ditch the bling. Wearing that is a good way to get killed. Criminals in Australia will either use a pipe filled with lead to beat you over the head or a gun to take the item. Crims don’t just wave the gun and tell you to hand it over, no the kill and then take the item. As instructed, I left my gold chain in the hotel room safe.
During my stay in Melbourne, there were 3 shootings that I got to hear about on the news. One was an old man in his late 60’s sitting in a park late at night. Police found him in the morning without a wallet and asked if anyone knows of an elderly male in his late 60’s who may be missing and to call XXX. He was shot and killed.
Australia banned gun is 1993. Today the only people who have guns are criminals and cops. From looking at the cops, their guns look old. They are probably guns that were taken from crims to save taxpayer money.
If America bans guns, who will turn them in? The criminals won’t. The public will always have those who look at their gun as a nice commodity. If banned, they will get more money for it. Speeding is against the law. How many people actually follow this law?
Wake up America! Vote Republican to protect your gun rights.
Rick, you make a lot of good points However the so called republicans are getting more and more liberal. Lindsay Graham, Mitch McConnel, Mitt Romney and others are being swayed over to the anti gun side. So many republicans now have no balls. Bring back the Tea Party.
This quote by the police Lt. involved in the investigation is disturbing:
“This lady was carrying a lawful firearm,” Lt. Tony Hazelett with the Charleston Police Department told local media.
Lt. Hazlett should have said: “This lady was lawfully carrying a firearm”, as firearms cannot act lawfully or unlawfully. Unfortunately too many members in law enforcement and the media make this mistake and frequently refer to firearms as “lawful” or “unlawful”.
Seriously no1 cares homie
So “homie” then why did YOU reply?
Wrong “homie” I care. You loser
I have been a criminal defense attorney for 43 years. I am on a federal CJA panel… I have around 4,000 federal cases under my belt. I get a felon in possession case about once per month. So do most of my colleagues on the panel.
The maximum possible sentence is up to ten years and the actual sentence is determined based on various factors found in the federal sentencing guidelines. One of those factors is high capacity mags… more than fifteen.
As a lifelong gun guy and Vietnam vet I am continuously surprised at the sophisticated taste in firearms most of my clients have. Some have had nice collections.
Many of the firearms come in trade for dope or through straw purchasers. So in some circles firearms have become a fungible item. You can buy or sell meth in exchange for firearms.
The feds have jurisdiction over felon in possession of firearms because the firearms travel in interstate commerce… that’s why they hate ghost guns. You can’t tell where the receiver of a ghost gun was manufactured thus no federal jurisdiction.
Point… we are not going to erase 400,000,000 firearms nor are we going to stop bad guys from getting some of them.
That’s why my philosophy is “pants on, gun on” and the Texas fast draw, pull five minutes before TSHTF!
As a former military spec oper and then contractor for 12 years (that’s how I paid for college and law school) I am against open carry by civilians that have not undergone the CCL vetting process.
Every time I see someone not in LE open carry I draw a mental bead on them.
If successful prosecutions were tied to serial numbers and felonious acts, pretty sure that would deplete the criminally active pool.
If there are insufficient iron-willed judges, crime won’t lessen for hand slaps.
This continues because initially weak parenting, confusing “that’s ok, LET’S try to not do that again…” instead of a etched in concrete directive “if you EVER…” or equivalent. The same ones voting the dilution of enforcement with undeserved second [3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th…] chances.
There are a lot of criminal very lucky certain people aren’t poised to oversee justice [differing from enforcement]. While justice is reactive, it is more sure than any measure of supposed enforcement, no matter how preemptive they label it.
While I’d agree vetting is desirable, that isn’t turning out enough willing citizens to counteract the overwhelming threat.
“Drawing a mental bead” is stereotyping, unless you are toting a crystal ball too. That Texas fast-draw is likely to draw both kinds of unwanted attention.
Either way, open carry is a mistake for the very same reasons.
I appreciate you taking time to write that, and I appreciate your service. I, too, am a VN combat veteran. What I do not appreciate is your final two sentences. I live in a state where open carry is legal. You don’t like it. Maybe you can tell me what percentage of criminal fatal shootings were done by citizens with a gun on their hip. I wear mine open anywhere I am allowed. As for you “drawing a mental bead”, you need to back off that attitude. Criminals almost NEVER open carry, and you know it.
So glad u don’t police down here in ga cuzz u wouldn’t last a day we would have ure badge for thinking like that… your comment almost put me to sleep but when I finally woke up I realized how stupid it was… you say you don’t want us open carrying but how does that make sense would you rather identify the threat or have them conceal it ? I bet ure a terrible cop and that way of thinking is a good way to get ure dumb ass shot down here in real 🇺🇸
“I am against open carry by civilians that have not undergone the CCL vetting process.”
Maybe this is all on me but why are you tying open carry with something you call the the “CCL vetting process”? What is the “CCL veting process”? I know I went through a CC course in illinois which was just a revenue stream. I was one of two vets in the course and the other guy only went for the first day and was a terrible marksman. Many “civilians” are better trained then LE and former military. Maybe, the type of people you see day in and day out are making you cynical.
How about “TRIGGER CONTROL” !?
I practice trigger control daily and usually try to “TRIGGER” atleast one DEM-LIB-TARD A DAY !!!
😁🤣😂😅
So why was this piece of sh!t out of jail in the first place? Perhaps the first step to solving the crime problem is putting the criminals in jail and keeping them there, rather than coddling them as is the current practice.
And thankfully, this courageous woman succeeded in putting this guy down for good. Taking out the trash. Good riddance!
Another rabid animal put down by a legally-armed, heroic citizen. Nicely done, lady.
“ Butler , a two-time convicted felon ……” .
How does a convicted felon “ return with an AR- pattern rifle .” I was
led to believe felons were not permitted to possess a firearm, after serving
time for felony conviction .
Clearly , the laws on the books are effective and being adhered to by all of
society . I suggest that more laws be crafted , as the results are clearly beyond
stellar .
Amazing isn’t it DJ? You’d think a convicted felon would certainly obey all laws.
I am praying this Patriot has the PEACE of God. The TRAUMA experienced with taking a life – even in DEFENSE – is hard.
Sorry I just can’t take a grown man seriously that uses emoji‘s to get his point across… lil homie even had the emojis in correct order !! As one of my good friends used to say, “ I just gots to laugh”
Bravo, indeed. Interested to know what she used, caliber, etc, plus approx distance and number of shots. Nothing in any of the news reports I’ve seen about this…not surprisingly.
Perp was “no stranger to law enforcement”…..imagine that, eh?🤔
We need to go after the Lawyer’s who get these pieces of crap out and petition the law makers to go easy on the law breakers!! We as a nation need to get behind our law enforcement officers and back them up! It’s the Liberal Democrats who want the laws lax so they can get votes when election time comes!!! Open your eyes people, we make the laws!!!!! When you go to prison, you should loose all your rights , including voting rights!!!!! Also, don’t put the burden on the tax payer, Life Sentences, should be replaced by the Death Penalty!!!!! Also, bring back the chain gangs!!!! Let them work cleaning up the roads or painting area’s
Sorry Frank but blaming the lawyers for the lax sentencing is like blaming the gun for the crime. it’s their job to defend their client to their best ability. I’m sure if you are ever wrongly accused you will appreciate that. The fault lies in enforcement of the law itself. The judges and/or juries are to blame for their bleeding heart light sentences. Before these criminals are convicted they plea bargain their way down to lighter sentences because the courts don’t want to take the time to try the case. Other times the soft on crime judges and liberal juries dole out light sentencing. Do the crime, do the time. Stop with plea bargaining and liberal judges and juries.
Frank Bear, Jr. Not all cops are ‘the good guys’. In fact, few are! I was tortured and crippled and caused to develop the most painful condition on earth for being innocent, severely disabled and driving in Utah with pot-friendly Colorado plates. The cop, highway patrol Chris Terry (St. George, Utah), lied more than 20 times to invent a reason to arrest me. Bc I ‘ain’t rich’ (couldn’t afford a lawyer) I tried to learn the law while suffering the full ravages of CRPS- it didn’t work. The judge didn’t care about justice or the clear evidence (the cop’s dash cam contradicting his police report numerously) and threw my case out. Suffering as I was I didn’t have enough life left in me to re-file so that criminal masquerading as a law enforcement official got away with torturing a law-abiding, severely disabled and innocent American citizen.
Please, don’t tell us cops are good or always right. LE is the largest, most dangerous, most destructive, most deadly CRIMINAL organization in American history- I’m living proof of it!
We need to go after the Lawyer’s who get these pieces of crap out and petition the law makers to go easy on the law breakers!! We as a nation need to get behind our law enforcement officers and back them up! It’s the Liberal Democrats who want the laws lax so they can get votes when election time comes!!! Open your eyes people, we make the laws!!!!! When you go to prison, you should loose all your rights , including voting rights!!!!! Also, don’t put the burden on the tax payer, Life Sentences, should be replaced by the Death Penalty!!!!! Also, bring back the chain gangs!!!! Let them work cleaning up the roads or painting area’s
Give the lady a medal. We need more incidents as this to deter the Liberals agenda to disarm us. Let’s get her some more ammo
Huge kudos to her! I’m just saddened that these kinds of stories fail to make mainstream media.
Common sense gun laws don’t make sense if national reciprocity isn’t apart of the conversation. Thank God for her and her courage for standing her ground and saving lives. Where is her mainstream media coverage??
ABSOLUTELY !!! 100% SPOT ON !
IVE BEEN SAYING IT FOR YEARS….BUT “THEY” STILL DON’T GET IT ! 🤔😡
Well done. Another piece of turd down the drain!!
Now that’s what I call real gun control!
There should be a mental health check, , who’s checking the criminals mental health
Gun control done right. If everyone that could legally have a firearm was required to carry on their person while out and about there wouldn’t be anymore mass shootings and crime rates overall would plummet. Mass shooters target places where there is less chance of anybody else being armed. Why would you want to take law abiding citizens or in this case a hero’s gun away?
Boy ure a real moron ….. how the heck would any criminal no if they were armed or not ? Your theory doesn’t pass the smell test sorry …. Not saying it’s not great to be armed and ready, lord there is an armed to the teeth every time I leave my house more than your average person that doesn’t change the fact of the matter that the criminal doesn’t know that I’m carrying two handguns and a sbr on me or in my truck there Not psychic
Gun Control is a fallacy. Go ahead, place any noun before the word Control and tell me if it actually works.
Some typical Controls are: Birth Control, Pest Control, and Weed Control. Personally, when it comes to weeds in my garden, I don’t wish to control them as much as I just want them gone, but they always seem to grow back the following season. How about Politician Control?
Everyone has said this before, so forgive me for repeating the same sentence just one more time. “Guns don’t kill people, only people kill people.” The same is true with automobiles. Automobiles don’t kill people, only bad drivers kill people. Lets agree that bad operators whether driving an automobile or possessing any firearm are potentially dangerous to society. If the bad operators only hurt themselves and don’t harm anyone’s property, then hopefully they will learn a valuable lesson. Don’t expect Alec Baldwin to learn any valuable lessons anytime soon.
Suing gun manufactures is the biggest fallacy yet. How many politicians actually endorse suing Ford, GM, Toyota or any auto manufacturer because some drunk killed someone while driving one of their vehicles? Isn’t the same true with guns? Perhaps, the responsibility should lay with the retailer who actually sold the firearm to the bad operator? After all, the retailer was the last entity to have contact with the bad operator before they committed their despicable deed. Most businesses have either a policy or a posted sign which reads, We Reserve The Right To Refuse Service To Anyone At Any Time. If a person gives off a bad vibe, then don’t sell to them and ask them to leave the premises. Many states have lengthy restrictions to purchase a firearms, like possessing a Firearms Safety Card, Providing a Valid Driver’s License, Providing a Valid Utility Bill which matches the same address as the Driver’s License (to avoid Bogus and Straw Buyers), Successfully Passing a Background Check, and waiting the 10 Days “Cooling Off Period”. This is a list of hurdles for lawful gun buyers. Felons and Gang Members either steal their firearms, trade drugs or other things, or pay cash.
My biggest question is, why do so many gang members and felons have so many guns and why aren’t the Police actually doing their jobs to keep our society safe?
I believe Constitutional Carry is a great idea, as there is rarely a Police Officer where you need them, when you need them.
When seconds count, the police are only minutes away!
Not the same thing You’re comparing apples to oranges cars aren’t made or marketed to kill people guns are
Sorry, but guns are NOT designed to kill people. They are designed to put the bullet where you aim, which is actually 95% of the time either an old can, a plastic bottle, or a piece of paper with a design (target) on it.
Here is PROOF why more gun laws WON’T work. He was already federally prohibited from having a firearm yet he had a gun. CRIMINALS DO NOT OBEY LAWS.
What? A convicted felon not obeying the law? Gee, that surprises the hell out of me.
Don’t mess with Mama bear! Lesson learned.
Unfortunately, the main stream media will ignore this story because it doesn’t fit their agenda. Thanks to a brave woman, tragedy was avoided. Well done, I hope every parent that had children in that parking lot makes it a point to thank the woman that saved their child.