Some men (and women, don’t go there) aren’t willing to go down without a fight. From 1 to 101, if we’re alive – we all have a little fight in us. Although the fight may wax and wane with age, the will to fight is always there.

That’s how it was with a 71 year old man in Hampton, VA. When confronted with a threat while out for a walk in the 2100 block of Kecoughtan Road Sunday, he wasn’t content with becoming a victim. He refused to be a statistic, but knew he needed help to fight back.

So, when 18 year old Jafari Mitchell and a 15-year-old male approached the man and pulled a gun, demanding all his money, the 71 year old drew his own gun and shot first.

Fearing for his life, he shot the man who had a gun pointed at him right there on Kecoughtan Road. The elderly man did the right thing and stayed there with Mitchell, calling 911 and cooperating with authorities in the ongoing investigation.

The 18 year old was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The 15 year old was later apprehended and arrested. He has been charged with one count of attempted robbery and one count of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Self defense is a right. This man shows us yet again how important it is to be prepared. The more stories we can put out there about law-abiding citizens fighting back against their attackers, the more we’ll send a message to would-be offenders: we have the will to fight and we are not afraid to shoot first.