In the heartland of America, a fearless woman discovers that her greatest weapon against unexpected malevolence is the power to protect herself.
A determined young woman in Billings has become the embodiment of strong self-defense principles, successfully thwarting an aggressive robbery attempt. In a grim twist of fate, the unsuspecting perpetrators were left begging for mercy when she courageously defended herself.
The Montana native stood strong against the dual threat of Christopher Marquise Sanders, aged 37, and Jose Luis Ochoa Angeles, 29. In broad daylight, near her house in the 2000 block of Cook Avenue, the duo launched their heinous attack, only to be met with a strong defense that they couldn’t have anticipated.
When the woman stumbled upon Christopher Marquise Sanders and Jose Luis Ochoa Angeles going through her car, they grabbed her by the arms.
In the midst of the afternoon, around 12:45 p.m., Sanders and Angeles were caught in the act of their cowardly attempt at robbery. In a turn of events that reinforced the importance of self-defense, a distress call was made to the police, describing the tense situation. The phrase “possible robbery with shots fired” took on a whole new meaning when authorities arrived at the scene.
The woman, displaying outstanding courage, described the scene to the officers. Angeles was caught in the act, rummaging through her car. As she confronted him, she was ambushed by Sanders who clutched her arm. Angeles then seized her other arm, escalating the struggle. Fearing for her life, she relied on her concealed weapon, tucked safely in her jacket pocket.
When law enforcement arrived, they were met with a scene that validated the importance of personal safety measures. The courageous victim held an injured Sanders at bay, while Angeles had fled but could not escape the consequences of his actions, as he ended up in a local hospital for emergency treatment.
Sanders soon faced justice, charged with felony attempted robbery in the Yellowstone County District Court. Angeles was also to face his charges, as soon as his medical condition stabilized.
Police Lt. Matt Lennick highlighted the courageous response of the victim, validating her decision to use her concealed firearm, which resulted in both attackers being injured. The case was sent to the County Attorney’s Office for further review and official charges.
Remarkably, the brave woman faced no charges from the police, affirming her legal right to self-defense. The ultimate decision lay with the county attorney, but given the circumstances, it seemed unlikely she would face charges.
Police Lt. Matt Lennick once again emphasized the importance of the right to self-defense when facing potential threats. However, he mentioned the case would undergo review by the County Attorney’s Office to ensure the threat level justified the force used.
Renowned attorney Paul Ryan commented on the case, explaining the nuances of “justifiable force” in self-defense scenarios. He stated that legal standards varied depending on the location and whether the defense was against property or personal assault.
The Montana law, which permits force if there is a reasonable belief of imminent serious bodily harm or death, seems to clearly justify the woman’s actions. It’s indeed a frightening notion that one could potentially face criminal charges for exercising their fundamental right to self-defense.
Sources: Taphaps, KTVQ