Man describes attack by teen robbers; defense of his own life

The Dayton Daily News has published an interview with what police say is the first CHL-holder in Dayton to have fired their weapon in self-defense since OhioCCW became law last year.

From the story:

Facing two armed teenagers intent on robbing him early Friday, Mark Hill pulled out his Glock 23 handgun, then hesitated.

"These kids reminded me of my kid," Hill said Saturday. "Then I really had to protect myself after that."

Hill fired several shots, hitting one of the gunmen. The shooting was the first by a holder of a concealed weapons permit in Dayton, police said.

Hill, 40, a lifelong resident of Dayton, said the two teenagers then opened fire on him, but missed.

Hill returned fire, struck one of his attackers, who then fled. Shortly after the 12:45 a.m. shooting, Dayton police told the newspaper, a 17-year-old showed up at Good Samaritan Hospital in a stolen Jeep. He was admitted with gunshot wounds to his leg, abdomen and arms, who were contacted by hospital officials.

Again, from the story:

The 17-year-old was with two 16-year-olds. Police said all three matched the description of the gunmen and a male seen by Hill in an alley north of Riverview Avenue and Catalpa Drive, where the attempted robbery occurred.

Police arrested the younger teens as they tried to leave the hospital. They were taken to the Family Court Center, pending delinquency charges of aggravated robbery and receiving stolen property.

Hill had been walking to a local store when two teenagers wearing dark clothing approached him. One shoved him, he turned around, and both flashed handguns, according to a police report.

The two males demanded money, Hill said in an interview Saturday. He grabbed one gunman's weapon, then let go and backed away with outstretched hands when he realized another gun was targeting him, he said. He then pulled his weapon and, after hesitating, fired.

Hill said he's a single parent of a 20-year-old son, teaches martial arts, and was robbed 20 years ago while working at a convenience store on Gettysburg Avenue near Necco Avenue — all factors in his decision to obtain a concealed weapon permit.

"I wish we all would have missed each other," Hill told the Dayton Daily News. But he added, "I want to live, too."