Sightseers Defend Against Attempted Mugging

Two adults, who were enjoying the rare appearance of a blue moon along the banks of the Mississippi River, won’t be charged in the death of a teen who attempted to rob them near a World War I monument in St. Paul, Minn. The incident occurred after a man and a woman—who met near the river bluffs, where they both had gone to see the moon—had struck up a conversation. As they were talking, a teen approached and asked to use a cell phone. Moments later, another teen—this one wearing a mask and gloves—appeared, pulled a gun and demanded their valuables. The male victim, who has a Right-to-Carry permit, instead drew his gun and shot the suspect. The other teen ran away. The female victim called 911 while the armed citizen rendered first aid, but the wounded suspect died at the scene. Investigators have since arrested and charged several teens, one of whom was allegedly involved in the night attack and others who were allegedly accomplices in crimes the dead teen committed earlier in the day. (St. Paul Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn., 8/4/15)