Texas CHL Holder Stops Possible Mass Shooting at Arlington Bar

Authors Current Events Jordan Michaels
Texas CHL Holder Stops Possible Mass Shooting at Arlington Bar

(Photo: Dallas Morning News)

No one knows what James Jones was planning to do yesterday when he entered an Arlington, Texas, bar, armed to the teeth, yelling and saying incoherent things.

After shooting and killing the bar’s manager, a 37-year-old father named Cesar Perez, Jones had enough firepower on his person to continue killing until the police arrived.

Fortunately, a Texas CHL holder stopped the tragedy before it escalated.

“We’re treating the good guy as sort of a hero,” said Arlington Police Lt. Christopher Cook.

The CHL holder, who was dining with his wife, pulled out his firearm and shot Jones in the back shortly after Jones shot Perez. Both Jones and Perez were pronounced dead at the scene.

“He made the decision to engage the shooter, fearing there would be other loss of life,” Cook said.

The police are not filing charges against the CHL holder, though the investigation is continuing.

Arlington PD told WFAA that Jones was carrying four weapons — the handgun he used, another loaded handgun in his pocket, as well as two knives.

“We do believe he had the capacity to do much greater harm,” Cook told the Dallas News.

Police also don’t believe Jones knew Perez, which further indicates the suspect entered the bar to carry out multiple, random homicides.

“After he was struck once, the suspect started shooting at the front door,” Cook told the Arlington Voice. “We know people were trying to escape, but we’re not sure if he was just trying to harm others.”

Jones did not immediately begin shooting upon entering the premises. Witnesses say Jones began yelling incoherently as he was standing at the bar.

“People didn’t know who he was yelling at,” Cook said.

When Perez walked up and tried to pacify the Jones, the suspect drew his handgun and shot the bar manager.

The CHL holder, no doubt tracking the disturbance as it unfolded, wasted no time drawing his own handgun and firing at Jones.

More than a dozen customers and employees were in the bar at that time, and only one sustained minor injuries from glass shards as they were trying to escape.

Use of force and firearms expert Emanuel Kapelsohn told NBC News that, from his understanding, the man who took down the shooter reacted appropriately.

“I think it’s to be applauded,” he said. “Not everybody in the world ought to own a gun. Not everybody in the world ought to carry a gun. Not everyone in the world ought to engage an armed criminal where innocent people could be potentially injured.”

“But this good Samaritan obviously had the ability to do what he did,” Kapelsohn added. “Who knows how many people would be dead if he had not acted?”

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  • El Paladin May 15, 2017, 4:14 pm

    Just remember CHL folks, veterans, & officers: 1. Sit where you can see the doors, and hopefully scan the place. I try to always have my back to the wall. 2. Try to be able to see the cash register. 3. No harm in imagining ‘what if’, at least one time, during/before dinner, in your mind. Think about your bullet(s) path, and the innocent! 4. Use caution entering the privy, sometimes they ‘prepare’, or try to muster ‘courage’ in such places. 5. If violent, criminal action happens, -KILL- them. You may have enough lying, whining, lib-tard, witnesses already,….who’s lives you saved. 5.5 Hands-up, weapon down, or holstered when officers arrive. -DO- what they tell you! 6. Join a credible, CHL/Gun Rights outfit, & -support them-, as you may need their best lawyers! 7. Remember this stuff @ election time/public meetings;–that you need to attend, & speak-up at. Thx to our crapola ‘leaders’ who have aided & abetted/public school/university ‘educated’, (or let-in these slum-dogs over the Border, or as ‘refugees’), this is just the beginning of a long, vicious, fight. You’ll have to protect not only your family, and your State, but perhaps also some fools whom still have their heads in the sand, and their butts in the air. May God make you confident, quick, ….and keep you safe! El Paladin

  • mh46 May 12, 2017, 3:45 pm

    Thank God we are not hearing much of that “wait for the police to come save us” crap anymore. But it is getting pretty old to keep hearing the prattle about “not everyone should do this,” over and over and over and over again.

  • Charlie May 12, 2017, 3:07 pm

    God,Guts and Guns “TEXAS” Take this message to our government reps. The three G’s that made this country. Keep it that way.

  • Mister Ronald May 12, 2017, 12:43 pm

    This is one story that really should have made the NATIONAL TV NEWS PROGRAMS but we all know that will never happen.

  • Larry May 12, 2017, 11:45 am

    God bless concealed carry. If we always had it, we would have never had a Luby’s or any of the other many many mass killings by nutjobs around the country.

  • Uncle Dave May 12, 2017, 10:32 am

    “We’re treating the good guy as sort of a hero,” said Arlington Police Lt. Christopher Cook.
    That is sort of a compliment.

  • Ben L May 12, 2017, 9:14 am

    Yes, you aren’t supposed to carry in an establishment that derives more than 51% of it’s business from the sale of alcohol. However, if you are carrying your weapon there and a situation like this arises, you will not be prosecuted for using your firearm to end the threat. Thats the law here in TX.

    • RayJN May 12, 2017, 3:04 pm

      Fortunately in WI and AZ you can carry where alcohol is served as long as you are not drinking.

      • Ben V May 13, 2017, 3:36 pm

        I have Friend Who Never Drinks He Alway Carries 1 Pistol On Him He’s A Large Man Sometimes Carries 4~1911s
        Maybe A Small Revolver What A Man😏

  • DJ May 12, 2017, 7:05 am

    Isnt it illegal for CHL holder to carry gun into a “bar” in TX? Or did that law change? I dont know the location. I am guessing since hero was eating with family, then this place might be considered more of a restaurant. If so, it seems the story should reflect that. I know many chl owners break that law amd for each his/her own. I dont go to bars much but if I do, I dont risk it by carrying. Get caught and u can lose everything.

    • John Engles May 12, 2017, 7:50 am

      The local news here in Dallas said he was legally authorized to carry at that business since they don’t make more than 51% of their revenue from alcohol sales.

      • Larry May 12, 2017, 11:49 am

        What I always wondered is how all the concealed carry members got these establishments to open their books showing them their percentage of booze sales! Folks, save your life, save your loved ones’ lifes. Carry 24/7 & worry about the possible consequences if & when they happen. Be safe out there!

        • Bil May 12, 2017, 12:28 pm

          “Carry 24/7 and worry about the consequences later.” Precisely, Larry. WTG CHL(?)
          Bil

        • Mark Timblin May 12, 2017, 2:36 pm

          You got it; as I like to say; its better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6. I remember from my days as a police officer in Tx. one could carry concealed which it was a hell of a lot harder to get a concealed carry permit in Tx. in the early to mid 80s. As a police officer for 10 -11 years and then a 14 year career with the Fl. prison system and was authorized to carry concealed here in Fl.
          The same law applies her in Fl. if the bar in question derives more than 50% or maybe its 51% from sales of alcohol then you cannot carry in that establishment. Then again, like I said better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

          • Robert T. Szacik May 12, 2017, 9:54 pm

            Rather than face major repercussions, I just don’t don’t go where I can’t carry. And I make it know that the establishment is loosing money because I don’t go there. Works fine except when I go to the post office to buy stamps or to school for a meeting.

    • Jim Compton May 12, 2017, 7:55 am

      It is legal to carry in a restaurant that sells alcohol as long as the 51 percent sign is not posted. In otherwords the business does not derive 51 percent or more of it’s income from the sale of alcohol and the person carrying should not be drinking.

    • scott May 12, 2017, 8:21 am

      In Texas the bar/restaurant has to receive over 50% of their revenue from alcohol to be prohibited to carry.

    • steve May 12, 2017, 8:42 am

      I understand your concern with not wanting to break the law by carrying into a restricted place because “if you’re caught you could lose everything”….think about that… Is your life part of EVERYTHING you could lose?
      HowEVER the TX law reads the other patrons of that restaurant or bar should be in line to kiss the good Samaritan’s feet for potentially saving all their lives by “risking everything”.
      When the sheep are endangered the sheepdogs among us are quietly on guard to save their…wool.

      • Ron Ludwin May 12, 2017, 9:53 am

        Dear Steve…….I just had to respond to your comment about CCW policies for different businesses. You’re right on the money when you said, “……your life is part of EVERYTHING you could lose.” I wish more people would have that mind set when it comes to EDC, and realize that bad things can happen to anyone, anytime, and anywhere! With the increase of CCW permits throughout the country, it does my heart good to see more and more bad guys encountering armed citizens!
        Even if a business says, “No Gun Zone”, that doesn’t preclude a legal CCW holder from entering! You just don’t advertise it!! If shit’s gonna happen, then you have every right to protect yourself and your loved ones, PERIOD!!. As a 32 year retired P.O. from Miami, none of my friends, my wife, ever leave home unarmed! It’s like having a life insurance policy, you never know when you’re gonna need it! Thanks again for your great comment, and stay safe out there in the Great Lone Star state!..Ron

        • Larry May 12, 2017, 11:51 am

          I too am retired LE & agree with your thinking 100%.

    • Brian P May 12, 2017, 11:38 am

      Don’t focus on the wording. It also stated he and his wife were having dinner there. Lots of places serve food AND have a bar. Does not mean they do 51% in alcohol sales.

  • Douglas Smith May 12, 2017, 5:52 am

    Of course he will be investigated for endangering other patrons by shooting a murderer liberals would probably argue that he should have waited until the guy randomly killed a second person to consider him dangerous

    • Dj May 12, 2017, 8:17 am

      In TX? We keep our liberals too distracted for that.

      • Ludlow Porch May 12, 2017, 10:19 am

        Are there classes available that teach how to keep Liberals “distracted?” If they are, please post their number and address!

      • Larry May 12, 2017, 11:52 am

        HAR! 🙂

  • SuperG May 8, 2017, 11:04 am

    He did the right thing, and he did not get stupid and try to engage the guy in a “fair gunfight”. You don’t tell a rabid dog to sit, and you don’t give the psycho a chance to turn on you by yelling something stupid like “drop your gun”.

  • Will Drider May 6, 2017, 11:07 pm

    Fake News orgs are running story titles like: Two dead in Bar shooting or Gunfire in Bar kills two. Headlines like these make the entire incident appear as unlawful. Fine print tell he actual story for those that care to read “just another murder story”

    • davud May 7, 2017, 11:02 pm

      i googed “arlington texas shooting” and the first page shows seven first-day stories about the shooting in the “mainstream media.” in four cases, the headline either identifies the CHL holder as such, or uses quotes that characterize his decision positively, like ‘good samaritan’ or ‘hero.’ in two of the other three cases, there’s scant information in the story about the circumstances, like whether the second person with a gun was a CHL holder, so the headine reflects the bare info available. in the final story, the headline writer went with the info topping the story, which didn’t reflect a ‘good guy’ or ‘bad guy’ angle.

      hard to make a case that liberal bias is driving the headlines of these early reports, when four are positive and two lack the info to identify the guy who ended the threat as a CHL holder.

  • Edgar May 6, 2017, 1:58 pm

    there we go……now we have more information than the original report. In the original report many details were omitted and the liberals were conjuring up mad fantasies of an over zealous armed citizen…over reacting…who should be jailed. Well, now we understand more and better…….And the liberals hate the truth, Thank God he was there….certainly kept the perpetrator from getting away, saved our tax money on prosecution and most likely saved many more lives by risking his own and stopping the killer. I salute him, Bless God, Bless Texas and Bless him.

  • Will Drider May 6, 2017, 12:49 am

    Decisive action, good call.

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