Anthony “T.J” Antell, Jr. has been identified as the man who tried to stop a suspected gunman from fleeing the scene at a Walgreens in Arlington, Texas, according to Fox News. He was dubbed the “Good Samaritan” by Arlington police officers. Antell was killed after he exchanged gunfire with the suspect.
Here’s what you need to know.
1. T.J. Antell Put His Life on the Line Trying to Stop a Gunman From Fleeing Walgreens
Antell, 35, put his life on the line trying to stop a gunman from fleeing the scene after the suspect shot an employee at the Walgreens in Arlington, Arlington police said. Antell, who has been referred to by media as the Good Samaritan, was killed during his attempt. A medical examiner identified Antell as the Good Samaritan, Fox News reported.
The shooting took place at the Walgreens in Arlington that is located at 5600 New York Avenue around 11:30 a.m. on Monday. This Walgreens is located near southeast Green Oaks Boulevard. Arlington PD have identified the suspect in the shooting as Ricci Bradden, 22.
2. Antell and His Wife Own a CrossFit in Arlington
According to Dallas News, T.J. owned Abattoir CrossFit in Arlington and had the gym listed on his Facebook page. He and his wife had just opened the gym in mid-April and celebrated their anniversary, according to his Facebook. They have three children, WFAA-TV reported.
Antell was often trying to help others and, according to his Facebook page, and had recently taken up bee keeping to help his parents, who had swarms at their home. His work at the gym was also dedicated to helping others improve their lives. He apparently was still living out that dedication when he tried to stop the suspect from leaving Walgreens.
His family has asked for privacy as they deal with their immense loss.
3. The Suspect Shot a Woman Who Worked at Arlington’s Walgreens
The shooter was connected to the woman who worked at the Walgreens in Arlington, according to the Arlington Police Department. Police said that she may have been his girlfriend or his wife, they were still determining the relationship. The suspect entered the Walgreens, confronted the woman, and shot her in the leg, Fox 4 reported. Antell saw what happened and confronted him after he left the store.
The woman who was shot will survive, Dallas News reported. According to NBC DFW, the shooting was some type of domestic dispute.
4. Antell Got His Gun Out of His Car and Tried to Stop the Shooter
Antell, the Good Samaritan who tried to stop the shooting, got a gun out of his car when he realized what was going on, according to Arlington police. The suspect attempted to flee the scene in his car, and Antell tried to stop him and make a citizen’s arrest, according to the Star-Telegram. They exchanged gunfire in the Walgreen’s parking lot and Antell was shot, Dallas News reported. He died at the scene.
5. The Suspect’s Family Later Turned Him in to the Police
Bradden, the suspect, was later taken to the Texas Department of Public Safety in Hill County, according to police. His father drove him there and the suspect turned himself in. Bradden’s now in custody.