DRAWING AGAINST THE DROP

By Bob Walsh

A sign that reads, “In the name of Allah, most gracious + merciful!!!” is posted on the door of El Barakah Supermarket in the South Shore neighborhood, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, where Ali Hasan was fatally shot a night earlier

 

 

Going for your gun when the bad guy already has the drop on you is a risky business.  If you are very good it can work.  If the bad guy has a very slow decision making loop it can work.  After all, he EXPECTS you to comply and it may take him a moment to realize you are not doing so.  Of you could just get lucky.  Or not.

Friday evening in the El Barakah Supermarket on the south side of Chicago this situation played out between Ali Hassan, 63, the night clerk at the store and Nicholas Williams, 24, a robber.  Williams entered the store about 6:20 p.m. and pulled a gun.  Hassan went for his own gat and got off the first shot.  Williams returned fire and got off two rounds.  

Both men died of their wounds.