Man with Concealed Carry Defends Himself from Robbers Armed with Knives

Austin Lee Harvey's Mug Shot

On November 16, 2012, two men, 19 year old Austin Lee Harvey and 24 year old Justin Slivinski, attempted to rob a man at an ATM in Fern Park, FL, just north of Orlando. As the men, armed with knives, approached the victim and demanded cash, the victim withdrew his gun, which he was legally permitted to carry, and shot Slivinski while Harvey ran away. Slivinski was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Harvey was later apprehended and charged with attempted robbery and attempted murder. The victim, who has remained anonymous, will not be charged with any crime.

Statistically, this will be reported as another firearm homicide, but no one is going to track there is a possibility that there was also a murder avoided. At the very least, the publicity of this story in the area could have a real benefit to all law-abiding citizens in Central Florida through the discouragement of armed robbery. This benefit, ironically enough, is received by even those people who do not carry weapons as well. Funny how that works.