MEMPHIS, TN — A robbery victim behind a Parkway Village hotel turned a potentially fatal encounter into a self-defense success after disarming his attackers and using one of their firearms to protect himself early Friday morning.

According to local media, officers responded to a shooting at the Classic Inn on American Way at 6:15 a.m., where they found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and a woman with a gunshot wound to her upper arm. The man was hospitalized in critical condition, while the woman sustained non-critical injuries.

Police later encountered the victim, who reported that he was the one who shot the pair—but only after a harrowing robbery attempt forced him to defend his life.

The victim recounted that he had gone to the hotel to meet the woman earlier that morning. Wrapped in a blanket, she approached him and asked if he was armed. When he said no, she lured him behind the building under the pretense of heading to her car.

Once there, the woman revealed a firearm hidden in her blanket and demanded his belongings. Simultaneously, a male accomplice appeared, also armed, intensifying the threat. The victim complied and threw his wallet to the ground.

As the robbers became distracted by a distant noise, the victim seized the opportunity to grab the woman’s gun. Her accomplice fired at the victim but missed, and the victim returned fire, striking both attackers.

The victim fled the scene and called the authorities, who detained all three individuals involved. The investigation remains ongoing.

This incident highlights the importance of situational awareness and quick thinking in a self-defense scenario. While compliance may sometimes be the safest initial response, staying alert to opportunities for escape or defense is critical when faced with an imminent threat to life. Additionally, those carrying a firearm for personal protection should ensure they are trained to use it effectively under stress.