SURVEILLANCE VIDEO (unedited): Watch as Hero Thwarts L.A. Tan Robbery and Kills Gunman
The robber watches, gun in hand, as the clerk fumbles with the rope, surveillance footage released Tuesday night shows. Then a customer seizes the moment and saves the day.
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Gary Amaya went into L.A. Tan in Orland Park Saturday night with a .38-caliber pistol in his pocket. Less than 10 minutes later, the rotund gunman was on the floor, beaten and shot.
Jason McDaniel told reporters that he decided on a whim to stop by the L.A. Tan, at 15633 S. 94th Ave., about 6:30 p.m. Amaya, 48, had already tied up the clerk. He ordered McDaniel, 29, to tie himself as well. Amaya then put the pistol down on a counter and bent over to pick up an item he dropped. McDaniel rushed Amaya with a good 10 feet between the two men and they struggled.
Within a minute, McDaniel grabbed the gun, struck Amaya in the head with it and fired. The clerk called 911 and tried to untie herself. Amaya was shot in his side, and died an hour later. Most of the struggle takes place off camera.
Police continue to investigate possible ties between Amaya and the "honeybee" killer, who went on a shooting spree in October.
Beth Palmer
10:20 pm on Tuesday, December 14, 2010
This is unbelievable. Without sound, the whole scene seems unexpectedly calm. McDaniel deftly steals the gun from Amaya in a swoop. Insane. Wow.
Carrie Frillman
11:11 pm on Tuesday, December 14, 2010
What a great addition to your coverage and a brave move by McDaniel. Next, I'm interested to hear that 911 call. Quick response by the police, too. Kudos.
Sandra Bury
11:49 pm on Tuesday, December 14, 2010
What a haunting video. Great job McDaniel... he didn't know what was coming, but he deserved all he got! I wonder what other goodies the robber had in the little tan bag of tricks. Thank God McDaniel was there that day. With a quick rolling-up of the sleeves, the tables turned. Sometimes things do turn out the way they should.
Tonia Lorenz
11:55 pm on Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Very very powerful video. How brave the receptionist was, not to panic. And Jason McDaniel, there are no words. What a hero. You can just see him biding his time to rush and get the gun.
Well done, all, including the police.
Arne Asada
4:16 am on Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Bummer! All the fighting took place off-camera.
nicole
8:44 am on Wednesday, December 15, 2010
way to go jason!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have known him for 14 years i work with his grandfather...so proud of u jason!!!!!!!!!!
chris johnston
11:44 am on Saturday, December 18, 2010
Next time you see him or his family, let them know Chris from high school has never been more proud of anyone before. His instincts, his read of the situation, his strength, and speed all made him the perfect person at the perfect time. God truly used him in this situation to stop a serial killer who had been terrorizing my neighborhood back in October. I hope his family is well.
Shannon Antinori
12:36 pm on Wednesday, December 15, 2010
This just gives me the chills. It does look eerily calm, which makes it even tougher to watch, in a way. Kudos to the L.A. Tan employee for keeping her cool in a terrifying situation, and to McDaniel for not hesitating when he saw his chance to be a hero. Amazing.
George Slefo
7:27 pm on Wednesday, December 15, 2010
That's so powerful.