ENTERPRISE, AL — A violent confrontation turned deadly on November 18, 2024, when a man defending himself from a pipe-wielding attacker fired a single shot, fatally striking the assailant in the groin.

Enterprise Police Department (EPD) officers responded to a shooting call around 11:05 a.m. on the 800 block of County Road 266. At the scene, they found one man with head injuries and another, identified as 59-year-old Patrick John Cerqua, deceased from a gunshot wound to the pelvic area.

Witnesses reported that a verbal altercation between the two men escalated when Cerqua attacked the victim with a metal pipe. During the assault, the victim discharged a single shot from his firearm, striking Cerqua in the groin and ending the attack. Cerqua was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim is expected to recover from the head injuries he sustained during the incident. Authorities have not disclosed his identity, and the investigation is ongoing.

This incident demonstrates the importance of carrying a firearm for personal protection, particularly when faced with a potentially deadly attack. Training for situational awareness and practicing quick, accurate shooting under pressure are essential for anyone who carries a firearm. Such preparation can be the difference between life and death in a sudden violent encounter.