Atlanta Man Hailed as Hero After Bravely Thwarting Robbery
Greetings from Atlanta, where an unexpected act of bravery has captured the hearts of the community. Last Wednesday, a typical shopping day turned into a tale of heroism when a local man, Corey Lampley, made a bold move during an attempted robbery inside a Dollar General on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
April showers may bring May flowers, but last week brought a heaping dose of courage from our city’s very own. Corey Lampley, a 32-year-old wrestler who stands tall at 6 feet 1 inch and weighs in at 300 pounds, found himself in the thick of things while simply checking out as a customer. Known as “Renegade” in his wrestling circles, he was in his security uniform when the unexpected unfolded.
Quick Thinking Amidst Chaos
As Corey described it, everything changed when two young men suddenly appeared. “One kind of went to the door, one kind of stood maybe 6 to 7 inches away from me,” he recalled before one of them made a move no one in the store will soon forget: jumping the counter with a visible gun.
At that moment, Corey’s instincts kicked in. “I just drew my weapon,” he explained, knowing that his stature and uniform might give him a chance to prevent a full-blown disaster. He understood the weight of his actions more than his actual weight could ever convey. “I feel like any wrong move I can make, anybody’s life could be in jeopardy. And that was the wisest decision,” he said.
A Selfless Act Under Fire
The scene erupted into chaos as the other 15 individuals in the store sprinted for safety. Corey, however, chased down one of the men, fully aware of the danger that entailed. He recounted, “I can hear the perpetrator number two get his gun,” leading to the moment when he was unfortunately struck in the shoulder by gunfire.
Despite his injury, Corey managed to return fire in defense. He then made sure everyone in the store was safe before doing something even more remarkable: he took himself to a nearby fire station to await the arrival of the police.
“The bullet entered the shoulder,” he shared. “One lodged into my collarbone area, and another one is in my back, right before the shoulder blade.” A painful ordeal, indeed, but one he faces with unmatched composure and resolve.
Ongoing Investigations and Community Support
The suspects responsible for this audacious robbery remain at large, with law enforcement urging them to take accountability. Corey, reflecting on the situation, says, “These guys don’t seem to be more than 15 to 17 years old. I would say it’s time to take some accountability. Live life a little different.”
There is also a heartfelt appeal for parents to be more proactive in their children’s lives. For Corey, the arrest of these culprits would bring peace of mind, especially as he embarks on the path to recovery.
The wrestling community, clearly a tight-knit lot, has shown immense support for Corey during this challenging time. They are eagerly awaiting the day he can step back into the ring. Until then, he’s following doctor’s orders and suggests it could be about a year before he’s fully recovered.
This episode is a humbling reminder of the extraordinary courage that ordinary people can show in the most unexpected situations. Here’s to Corey Lampley—a true example of bravery reminding us all of the potential we each hold in the face of adversity.
