First Posted: 10/15/2014
State Representative Marty Flynn, 113th Legislative District, Lackawanna County, exchanged shots with a would-be robber last night in Harrisburg, according to a House Democratic Caucus news release.
The report states just before 11 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, about four blocks from the Capitol, he and State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, 3rd Legislative District, Erie County, were accosted by a male who pointed a gun first at Flynn and then at Bizzarro and demanded their wallets.
The gunman was in close proximity to Flynn and Bizzarro while a second male across the street was shouting direction to the first assailant. Neither lawmaker handed over anything. Flynn drew a handgun that he is licensed to carry and exchanged shots with the first male at which time both attackers and victims ran in different directions.
Bizzarro and Flynn went to the front of their nearby residence and called 911. Flynn reported to a responding officer that he had fired his weapon and turned it over to the officer.
“We were extremely impressed by the professional manner in which the Harrisburg police officers responded to our call,” Bizzarro said in the release. “We are very grateful.”
Harrisburg Police continue investigating the incident. Bizzarro and Flynn expressed relief that nobody was struck by gunfire and they thanked the Harrisburg Police for the remarkably quick response.
The incident occurred the same evening as a first session of a gun safety seminar promoted by Flynn and the Lackawanna College Police Academy.
The seminar, scheduled for 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at Lackawanna College Police Academy, features information on the rights and responsibilities that accompany a permit to carry a concealed weapon.