Thomas Yoxall, a photographer who was legally packing heat in the center console of his pickup truck, happened to be driving by when he saw the [Arizona] state trooper [Ed Andersson] being savagely beaten by [Leonard] Penuelas-Escobar.
“I yell out to the suspect to stop, I said ‘get off him!’” Yoxall said,. “His facial expression, the look in his eye (was) ‘evil,’ if I had to put a word on it.”
After Penuelas-Escobar ignored repeated commands to stop, Yoxall shot the attacker twice — once in the chest and once in the head — likely saving Andersson’s life. After Andersson was air-lifted to a hospital, underwent surgery, and received more than 100 stitches and staples, doctors were able to stabilize him.
“As much as I fought, at one point I probably couldn’t have gone on anymore,” Andersson said. “I probably wouldn’t be here (if it weren’t for Yoxall).”
Good Guy with a Gun Saves State Troopers Life
Steve is a long-time New Hampshire resident, blogger, and a member of the Board of directors of The 603 Alliance. He is the Managing Editor and co-owner of GraniteGrok.com, a former board member of the Republican Liberty Caucus of New Hampshire, and a past contributor to the Franklin Center for Public Policy.