Shawn Sutton, 39, and his wife Melody Sutton, 39, came to the Ideal Mart on Old Northcutt Road in Gilmer County, Georgia, and Shawn went inside, intending to rob the store while Melody waited in the car. Regrettably for the couple from North Georgia, things didn’t go as planned. Rather, when some gun-toting clients took action, Shawn was suddenly confronted with three major issues.
According to an Ellijay Police Department news release, Shawn and Melody Sutton arrived at the Ideal Mart shortly before 6:30 p.m. on a Monday. Shawn entered the convenience shop as his wife Melody waited in their car, posing as a client looking to purchase an energy drink. Shawn’s true motives were evident as he approached the convenience store counter.
Shawn Sutton, according to cops, put a pair of women’s underwear around his neck up over his face to conceal his identification. He stepped behind the counter with his face masked, aimed a .45 at the store clerk’s head, and demanded money, but as he ran into significant issues when three gun-toting customers raced to the clerk’s aid, drawing their own pistols.
Shawn Sutton had indeed struck the good-guy-with-a-gun jackpot on this particular occasion. As difficult as it may seem, three real customers were inside the business at the moment — two inside the building and one pumping gas — and they all had firearms, too, and were willing to pull them to set the situation right, according to reports.
One customer “legally carrying” a concealed gun gotten involved in the theft, while another raced to his car, acquired his gun, and returned to the store to help the first customer in subduing the suspect, according to cops. The third customer, who was originally at the gas pumps, then stepped inside the store with his revolver to help while the suspect attempted to flee, according to cops. The first client allegedly told the other two gun-toting customers not to shoot since Shawn Sutton had been disarmed.
A call was received to 911 reporting a robbery in process, and officers from the Ellijay Police Department, East Ellijay Police Department, and Gilmer Sheriff’s Office responded to locate Shawn Sutton attempting to flee. Shawn Sutton was directed to get on the ground by a cop, but he disobeyed, causing the police to deploy a Taser on him. Authorities were finally able to take Shawn Sutton into custody through a concerted effort, according to authorities.
Other cops were also able to take his wife into custody, who was still in the couple’s car, without incident. Shawn Sutton was charged with attempted burglary, aggravated assault, and felon in possession of a handgun. Likewise, Melody Sutton was charged with attempted burglary, intimidation, and unlawful possession of a controlled drug. Both were ordered imprisoned in the Gilmer County Adult Detention Center without bail. According to authorities, the three gun-toting customers all had valid licences for their guns.
Once again, we have another “good man with a gun” tale, with the same outcome – armed, law-abiding individuals put a stop to criminal activities. Innocent people were protected, and those who intended damage were put behind prison, where they belong. It’s always goo to know there was a happy ending – and that’s what you get when a legal gun owner is able to defend their loved ones when threat appears.
