Watch: Man Tackles, Chokes Armed Walmart Shopper

Watch the video at the bottom of this post.

A 43-year-old Lithia man faces battery charges after Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies say he tackled a man carrying a concealed weapon into a local Walmart.

The incident unfolded just before noon Tuesday when Clarence Daniels, 62, got out of his car at the 11110 Causeway Blvd. store in Brandon. A fellow shopper, identified by deputies as Michael Foster, spotted a gun holstered under Daniels’ coat.

Foster, an email to media from the sheriff’s office stated, then followed Daniels through the parking lot and into the store where he “then attacked the victim.”

Foster, deputies noted, never tried to call 911 or alert store security. Instead, he opted to take matters into his own hands, the email indicated.

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“Foster approached Daniels from behind, placed him in chokehold and took him to the ground against his will and without permission,” the email stated.

As Foster attacked Daniels, he began yelling that Daniels had a gun, the sheriff’s office email stated. Daniels acknowledged that during the struggle and he also “continued yelling that he had a permit.”

It turned out that Daniels did indeed have a legal permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Foster, however, was out of bounds with his tackle, deputies say. He was charged with battery and booked into the Hillsborough County Jail following the incident.

The sheriff’s office warns that encounters like this should be handled by authorities, not bystanders.

“We are thankful that no one was injured in this incident,” the email stated. “If a citizen has any concerns referencing an individual carrying what appears to be a concealed weapon, contact law enforcement. If you are in a store contact store security or call 911.”

Foster remained in the Hillsborough County Jail Wednesday morning in lieu of $500 bond.

Photo credit: Michael Foster/Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office

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