An elderly Pennsylvania man survived an attempted mugging Wednesday after he shot and killed his would be robber- who threatened him with a toy gun- police said.
The unnamed 67-year-old was strolling through Cobbs Creek Park in Upper Darby at around 2 p.m. when he was accosted by a masked man, police told WPVI.
"He hears somebody running behind him. As he turns around, he sees a masked man with a gun pointed at him saying, 'Give it up, give me all you got,' " Michael Chitwood of the Upper Darby Township Police told the station.
The man and suspect struggled, with the 67-year-old pulling his own .38-caliber handgun and shooting his attacker in the head, NBC Philadelphia reported. The victim left the park and called 911.
The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Tyler Williams, was killed at the scene. Police said he was carrying about six cellphones, a mask and a weapon that turned out to be a pellet gun.
His alleged victim was taken to Delaware County Memorial Hospital where he was treated for chest pains, apparently caused by the shock of the incident.
"He was really shook up- really upset," Chitwood told WPVI. "And I told him point blank. I said, 'You did what you had to do and as far as I'm concerned I don't see any criminal charges forthcoming.' "
Reports say there was a second unidentified person at the scene during the attempted robbery. The victim also said he saw someone hiding in the bushes. Chitwood later said those reports are not true, according to the Delaware County Daily Times.
Police said the victim, who is expected to recover, had a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
"It's a shame somebody had to die," Chitwood said. "At the end of the day but the bad guy pulling the stick up- lost."
